Switzerland-based pharmaceutical company builder Roivant Sciences has spun off a targeted protein degradation platform with $200m of equity funding from SK Holdings, the holding company for diversified conglomerate SK Group.
The as yet unnamed platform is focused on targeted protein degraders, which utilise the human body’s protein disposal system to deliver more efficient and effective dosing of treatments, also facilitating the targeting of proteins that are difficult to drug.
The platform is being used to discover drug candidates targeted at a number of diseases across the oncology, immunology and neurology fields. The first therapeutic candidate developed through the platform is expected to advance to clinical trials later this year.
Roivant is focused on building biopharmaceutical and health technology related-companies, which it calls Vants, and the investment is part of a strategic partnership between SK Holdings and Roivant.