Recently, the Huzhou Science and Technology Bureau issued the Notice on the Third Batch of Science and Technology Planning Projects in 2020 (Huzhou Science and Technology Bureau [2020] No.8) and published the “list of the Third Batch of Science and Technology Planning Projects in 2020,” and the project “Development of Innovative PROTAC Drugs for Targeted Therapy for Breast Cancer” submitted by TYK Medicines has been successfully selected.

Project Information

This project aims to develop an innovative drug for the treatment of breast cancer that targets the degradation of estrogen receptor (ER) protein using PROTAC technology. This project will conduct a biological analysis of the protein structure of the estrogen receptor and the ubiquitin-ligating enzymes. Based on the iteration design, chemical synthesis, and structural analysis of the PROTAC technology, the project will use immunoblotting and mass spectrometry to screen for innovative drugs that can enhance binding and degradation selectivity for homologous protein families and avoid drug resistance to conventional inhibitors.

Project leader

Dr. Yusheng Wu is a pharmacologist, National Distinguished Expert, Distinguished Professor of Zhengzhou University, and Doctoral Supervisor. He earned his Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry from Iowa State University in 1993 and completed postdoc research at the California Institute of Technology in 1996. Dr. Wu was employed by Schering-Plough’s new drug research and development department, where he made significant contributions towards the development of new drugs for a range of illnesses, including oncology, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, obesity, and Alzheimer’s disease. One of the innovative drugs for Alzheimer’s disease that he developed and led has reached Phase III clinical trials in the United States. He has been honored New Jersey Minority Contribution Award in 2005 and the Schering-Plough research and development president’s award in 2006. Motivated by the lack of progress in the fields of innovative drugs in China, Dr. Wu returned to his homeland in 2007 to lead s research and development team, with a steadfast commitment, the team dedicated itself to addressing the critical health concerns facing the country through innovative drug development. Dr. Wu has published over 100 Sci literature and holds over 80 patents.