The poster Biophysics-Enabled Discovery of Small Molecule Ligands for the Druggable States of the Intrinsically Disordered Oncogenic Driver ASCL1, was recognised for showcasing the critical role of biophysics in advancing drug discovery.
The work, presented by our CTO Mateusz Biesaga, highlights how Nuage Tx’s unique proprietary platform enables the study of intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) when they transiently adopt higher-order conformations. Our cutting-edge platform enables access to these states, allowing the design of compounds that can bind and inhibit this class of proteins, traditionally considered undruggable.
This approach represents a paradigm shift in drug discovery, transforming protein disorder – traditionally seen as a limitation – into a therapeutic opportunity for cancer treatment. The results reinforce that IDPs can be drugged when probed with the right tools.
At Nuage Tx, we remain committed to pushing the boundaries of what’s possible. We continue advancing our mission to develop a new generation of precision therapies for aggressive cancers with limited treatment options. Beyond oncology, our ambition is to become the leading company in the field of Intrinsically Disordered Proteins (IDPs), extending the use of this technology to therapeutic areas in which protein disorder plays a key role and treatment options remain scarce.
Olivier joined Nuage Therapeutics as Head of Drug Discovery. Prior to this, he served as Head of Medicinal Chemistry at Idorsia. Olivier brings extensive expertise in medicinal chemistry from his roles at both Idorsia and Actelion, with a particular focus on oncology and immunology. Over the course of his career, Olivier has contributed to the discovery of multiple drug candidates that have progressed into clinical development.
Commenting on his appointment, Dr. Corminboeuf, new Head of Drug Discovery at Nuage Tx, said: “I’m thrilled to join Nuage Therapeutics at such an exciting moment. Nuage is pioneering a disruptive platform that redefines what’s possible in drug discovery—by turning intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs), long considered ‘undruggable,’ into druggable therapeutic targets. This breakthrough opens entirely new avenues for precision medicine, and I look forward to helping advance Nuage’s pipeline to bring impactful therapies to patients.”
Blandine Guimet stepped into the role of Head of People. Blandine has extensive expertise in Human Resources gained through operational and strategic roles within corporate and start-ups environments. In 2021, Blandine founded Start HR Consulting, a company that provides support to biotech companies with their HR needs through their early and growth phases. Blandine holds a MA in Human Resources Management and is certified in co-active coaching.
As she joins the leadership team, Blandine shared: “It’s a real pleasure to be part of Nuage Therapeutics’ journey at such a key moment. I’m looking forward to helping build the foundations that will support our teams as we grow — through strong, scalable people practices and a culture where everyone feels empowered, supported, and inspired to do their best work.”
Their leadership will be instrumental as we continue to grow, evolve and push boundaries – delivering a new wave of transformative therapies by unlocking the druggability of intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs).
Welcome on board Olivier and Blandine!
As part of joining AseBio, they have interviewed our CEO, Stuart Hughes. You can see the full interview below.
- What does your company’s work bring to the table and what is its strength?
Nuage’s mission is to usher in a new wave of transformational precision therapies for aggressive cancers with limited treatment options. By pioneering a novel drug discovery approach, we directly target the oncogenic transcription factors that drive cancer progression, shutting down key disease pathways that have remained inaccessible to conventional drug discovery.
Nuage ultimately aims to become the preeminent company in the intrinsically disordered protein (IDP) target space, leveraging its technology beyond oncology into other therapeutic areas where protein disorder plays a key role and treatment options remain limited.
Nuage also brings together a highly skilled team of professionals with international experience gained at world-leading institutions and research centres.
“We see AseBio as the go-to platform for fostering synergies within Spain’s biotech sector. It provides essential tools and activities to connect startups with investors and industry leaders, an invaluable resource and asset for a company like ours“
Stuart Hugues, CEO
- When did you first hear about AseBio?
One of our founding investors, Asabys, is a long-standing member of AseBio and they recommended that we join to enjoy the benefits of a country-wide network of like-minded companies and individuals.
- What is Asebio for you?
We see AseBio as the go-to platform for fostering synergies within Spain’s biotech sector. It provides essential tools and activities to connect startups with investors and industry leaders, an invaluable resource and asset for a company like ours.
- What do you expect from being part of an association like AseBio?
We believe that being a member of AseBio will give us access to a strong network of key stakeholders within the Spanish biotech sector. It will also help us raise our profile in the industry through its activities while leveraging our interests within the different working groups.
Participating in these working groups will also be of incredible value, as it enables us to help shape and influence the future of our sector in Spain.
- What is the biggest challenge facing the biotech sector or your company?
We are part of a fast-growing and dynamic ecosystem.
You can also find the interview in Spanish on AseBio’s website.
The article highlights how Nuage is deploying a suite of proprietary biophysics tools that ‘capture’ intrinsically-disordered proteins in a secondary-structured form to address the challenge of therapeutically targeting a range of racer-driving transcription factors.
This approach has the potential to revolutionise the way that certain tumours are treated and usher in a new wave of transformational targeted cancer therapies.
Nuage Therapeutics is one of the three companies featured in the article, all headquartered at Parc Científic de Barcelona. The city is becoming one of the top areas for biotech research thanks to its well-connected ecosystem of top-tier hospitals, research institutes and global pharmaceutical companies.
You can read the full article here.
Nuage Therapeutics has been awarded a highly competitive Eurostars grant to accelerate the development of first‑in‑class covalent inhibitors of ASCL1 for the treatment of small‑cell lung cancer (SCLC‑A). Eurostars is an EU research funding programme targeted at Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs).
This new funding will enable Nuage Tx to advance key translational components of the program, including the establishment of a robust PK/PD framework for covalent IDP‑targeting molecules, the development and deployment of next‑generation chemoproteomic approaches to assess target engagement in biological systems, and the exploration of novel mechanisms that may enhance selectivity and safety.
The Eurostars grant will enable Nuage Tx to continue demonstrating that its novel technology can unlock the druggability of Intrinsically Disordered Proteins (IDPs), a class of proteins long considered “undruggable”. IDPs play a critical role in multiple diseases across different therapeutic areas, including oncology. Nuage’s proprietary technology makes these disordered proteins, which lack a stable shape, temporarily adopt a defined structure.
As a result, researchers can design drugs capable of recognising and acting on them, something that was previously impossible. This breakthrough represents a significant shift in drug discovery, turning protein “disorder” into a therapeutic opportunity.
Nuage’s groundbreaking approach is initially being deployed to target transcription factors that are key to the growth of specific cancers. With this new funding, Nuage Tx will continue advancing its innovative research, targeting oncogenic transcription factors that drive cancer progression while shutting down key disease pathways that have remained inaccessible to conventional drug discovery.
