Symeres, a contract research, development and manufacturing organisation (CRDMO), has partnered with Ambagon Therapeutics to explore a new class of small molecules known as molecular glues for potential application in colorectal cancer and other difficult-to-treat diseases.

Molecular glues represent an emerging therapeutic approach that enables or stabilises interactions between proteins, offering an alternative to conventional drug mechanisms such as inhibitors or activators. This strategy is seen as a way to expand the range of druggable targets while potentially reducing toxicity.

Under the collaboration, Symeres will assess Ambagon’s molecular glue candidates through a series of in vitro assays and mechanistic studies. The research will focus on evaluating protein interactions using surface plasmon resonance, along with cellular assays to measure the compounds’ impact on disease-related pathways.

Additional studies will include fluorescence microscopy to analyse protein behaviour, alongside techniques such as quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and Western blotting to assess downstream biological effects. The compounds will also be tested for their impact on cancer cell viability.

Industry experts note that targeting previously ‘undruggable’ proteins remains a major challenge in oncology research. The collaboration aims to generate insights that could accelerate preclinical development of innovative therapies across multiple disease areas.

Symeres will also leverage its broader capabilities in synthesis and validation, including profiling across a wide panel of cancer cell lines, to better understand compound behaviour and support progression towards investigational new drug (IND) stages.

Ambagon Therapeutics, based in the Netherlands, focuses on developing molecular glues that stabilise protein interactions linked to cancer and neurodegenerative diseases. The company’s research builds on years of expertise in structural biology and proteomics.

The partnership reflects a growing industry shift towards novel drug modalities that can address complex biological targets and improve treatment outcomes for patients with challenging cancers.