Our drug discovery strategy is fundamental to shaping ALL’s future. We continually evaluate emerging and disruptive technologies, stay at the forefront of scientific progress, and broaden our therapeutic modality platforms to strengthen our discovery capabilities.
By providing our researchers with access to advanced technologies, innovative platforms, and cutting-edge scientific expertise, we enable them to explore novel approaches and develop new possibilities in drug discovery.
Small molecules are low-molecular-weight organic compounds that can influence biological pathways and offer several advantages, including the potential for oral administration, broad tissue penetration, and access to intracellular targets. They can also be designed to eliminate harmful proteins within cells through targeted protein degradation approaches.
Rapid advances in science, technology, and computational methods are creating new opportunities for the discovery and optimization of small-molecule medicines. Among these emerging approaches is computer-aided drug design (CADD), increasingly enhanced by artificial intelligence (AI) and other data-driven technologies to support faster, more informed drug discovery.
Peptides are chains of amino acids connected through peptide bonds and offer distinctive characteristics that create new opportunities for addressing a wide range of diseases.
ALL’s MacroSelect™ platform supports the discovery of synthetic macrocyclic peptides using an mRNA display-based approach. Macrocyclic peptides can combine the high specificity, diversity, and strong target affinity associated with therapeutic antibodies with several favourable pharmacological characteristics of small-molecule drugs, providing a versatile approach to developing innovative therapies.
Monoclonal antibodies are engineered biological molecules designed to mimic the function of naturally occurring antibodies within the immune system. Their high degree of target specificity makes them powerful tools for selectively interacting with disease-related proteins. They can also be modified into advanced formats, including bispecific antibodies that engage two targets, antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) that deliver therapeutic payloads, and antibody fragments designed to provide distinct size and pharmacological advantages.
Monoclonal antibody therapies are particularly well suited to targets located outside cells or on the cell surface. However, their relatively large molecular size can limit their ability to penetrate cells, making intracellular targets generally less accessible to conventional antibody-based approaches.
Gene therapy represents a promising approach to treating disease by targeting its underlying genetic cause. It involves introducing, modifying, or regulating genetic material within selected cells or tissues using engineered viral vectors or alternative delivery methods. Depending on the therapeutic objective, this may involve replacing a defective gene, introducing a beneficial gene, or suppressing the expression of a gene associated with disease.
Among the important developments in this field is the use of adeno-associated virus (AAV) as a delivery vehicle for transporting therapeutic genetic material into cells. AAV vectors have demonstrated significant potential for reaching specific tissues and supporting the development of therapies for a wide range of severe and complex diseases, creating new possibilities for precision and potentially long-lasting treatments.
