Finding new ways to inhibit proteins that control gene expression in diseases like cancer
Official title: Activity-based regulome profiling for the discovery of covalent transcription factor inhibitors
Funded at Talus Bioscience, INC. · NIH-11045680 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how specific proteins that control gene activity can lead to diseases like cancer, and it's testing new ways to find drugs that can help block these proteins to create better treatments for patients.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 2 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Talus Bioscience, INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Seattle, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | August 14, 2023 |
| Project end | January 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $821,779 |
| NIH project number | 5R44TR004349-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11045680 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients with specific types of cancer, particularly those involving transcription factor dysregulation.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with conditions unrelated to transcription factor dysfunction may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding how certain proteins, known as transcription factors, regulate gene expression and contribute to diseases such as cancer. By using a novel drug discovery platform that analyzes how small molecules affect these proteins in various cell types, the researchers aim to identify effective inhibitors. The approach involves advanced techniques like mass spectrometry to quantify protein interactions and assess the efficacy of potential drug candidates. Patients may benefit from new treatments targeting these previously difficult-to-drug proteins.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to the development of new therapies for patients with cancers driven by dysfunctional transcription factors.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promise in targeting previously undruggable proteins, suggesting that this approach could yield significant advancements.
Where this research is happening
-
Talus Bioscience, INC.
Seattle, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Federation, Alexander — Talus Bioscience, INC.
- Study coordinator: Federation, Alexander
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.