Pipeline

Small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) is an aggressive, high-mortality cancer characterized by rapid proliferation and early metastasis. Achaete-Scute Family bHLH Transcription Factors 1 (ASCL1) is a master regulator of neuroendocrine differentiation and a key oncogenic driver in SCLC, controlling pathways critical for tumor growth and survival. Despite its central role in disease progression, ASCL1 has remained undruggable due to its intrinsically disordered nature.
Nuage is pioneering a first-in-class approach to directly target ASCL1. By leveraging a unique structural understanding of ASCL1’s disordered domain, Nuage has identified small molecules that modulate its function within its native environment. This strategy allows for the selective disruption of ASCL1-driven transcriptional programs, potentially leading to tumour regression and long-term disease control.

The transcription factor KLF5 plays a critical role in several digestive cancers, where its function has been linked to increased proliferation and metastasis. Nuage is exploring the development of targeted therapeutics against KLF5 using its cutting-edge platform to unlock the druggability of this transcription factor.