Alleo and Ubiquigent unite to accelerate drug discovery

Partnership to harness AI for DUB-focused preclinical programmes

Dundee-based Ubiquigent Limited and San Francisco’s Alleo Labs Corp have entered a strategic partnership to advance deubiquitinase (DUB)-focused drug discovery using AI.

The collaboration aims to combine Alleo’s AI-based platform with Ubiquigent’s expertise to speed up preclinical programmes targeting neurological diseases.

Under this partnership, Ubiquigent will gain exclusive access to Alleo’s AI software, RubDUB, to find novel DUB-modulating compounds.

These compounds are crucial for developing DUB inhibitors, DUB-targeting PROTACs, and DUB-Targeting Chimeras (DUBTACs). Meanwhile, Alleo will leverage Ubiquigent’s platforms to boost its in-house precision neuroscience programmes.

Jason Mundin, CEO of Ubiquigent, highlighted the potential of this collaboration: “The potential for the development of novel DUB-targeting therapeutics has never been greater, and this partnership with Alleo presents an exciting opportunity to not only add additional support to our in-house programmes prior to partnering, but also those of the partners we are supporting. We look forward to working with the team at Alleo and combining our approaches to further accelerate DUB-focused drug discovery.”

Alleo, known for its precision medicine for chronic neurological diseases, will also work with Ubiquigent to develop DUB-modulating therapeutics with third-party collaborators. Alleo’s lead programme, ALO-001, is an oral, brain-penetrant DUB small molecule inhibitor for neuroinflammation in Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases, currently in preclinical development.

Jermaine Ross, CEO of Alleo, stated: “We are on the brink of a new era in understanding the role of DUBs in common neurological diseases. Our partnership with Ubiquigent provides a strategic advantage by connecting us with leading experts in the field.”

He added: “This collaboration not only enhances our capabilities through access to Ubiquigent’s platform, but also synergises with our own drug discovery platform. Together, we will significantly accelerate our efforts to advance DUB-focused therapies to the clinic. We are thrilled to work with the team at Ubiquigent on this promising opportunity.”