Hybrigenics, a biopharmaceutical company with a focus on the research and development of new cancer treatments and specialized in protein interactions, recently announced the publication of a scientific article in Molecular Cancer Therapeutics showing the anticancer potential of HBX 41,108, its lead small-molecule inhibitor of ubiquitin-specific protease 7 (USP7).

Many cancer types from different organs are dependent on the crucial tumour-suppressor protein called p53, which is regulated by USP7. The article published in Molecular Cancer Therapeutics describes how Hybrigenics has demonstrated that small molecules can inhibit USP7 activity, resulting in the activation of functional p53 and in the growth inhibition of p53-dependent cancer cell lines. HBX 41,108 is the lead compound of such USP7 inhibitors, with a demonstrated potential to become an innovative anticancer drug candidate after further chemical optimization.

‘This publication highlights the recognition by the scientific community of our pioneer research position in the field of USP inhibition,’ said Frédéric Colland, Head of Biological Research at Hybrigenics.

Reference

Colland et al. (2009) Small-molecule inhibitor of USP7/HAUSP ubiquitin protease stabilizes and activates p53 in cells. Mol. Cancer Ther. 8, 2286–2295