Thalidomide

iStock, lerbank Molecular glue degraders are gaining traction in the clinic as well as funding from Big Pharma, with their potential to treat previously “undruggable” cancers and immunological diseases. Here are five clinical programs worth keeping an eye on. Molecular glue degraders, known for their ability to break down disease-causing proteins, are gaining traction in the clinic and driving sizable Big Pharma deals that reflect the modality’s market potential. Pharma giants like Bristol Myers Squibb, Novartis, Eli Lilly and Roche have poured millions into acquiring assets and partnering with smaller biotechs to develop molecular glues into treatments in areas such as cancer and immunology. The promise of molecular glues comes down to selectivity and an ability to hit novel targets, said Robert Driscoll, senior vice president of equities research at Wedbush Securities. For drugmakers seeking pipeline prospects to make up for ongoing patent losses, these glues could pave the way to novel targets with limited market competition, he said. “When we look at the market potential of these molecular glues, the ability to potentially tackle undruggable targets unlocks some doors,” Driscoll told BioSpace . “If you have a novel target, you have a real advantage versus other folks out there who will be fast followers. The market potential there is huge.” Molecular glues were discovered essentially by accident in the 1950s when the morning sickness drug thalidomide—infamous for causing birth defects—was found, along with related molecules, to spur immuno-modulating interactions by degrading disease-causing proteins. One of those related molecules—lenalidomide—went on to become the blockbuster cancer drug Revlimid from Celgene, a company that was acquired by Bristol Myers Squibb in 2019 in one of the largest pharma deals in history. Thalidomide and its analogs are the only molecular glues currently approved by the FDA, all of them manufactured by Bristol Myers Squibb as the multiple myeloma treatments Revlimid, Thalomid and Pomalyst. Now, the molecular glue pipeline is brimming with potential, with Big Pharmas and smaller biotechs alike betting on the promise that these molecules can offer new approaches to difficult disease targets. Here, BioSpace takes a deep dive into five standout programs leading the way in molecular glue R&D. BMS’ multiple myeloma relapse renegade As the only drugmaker to have successfully developed and marketed a molecular glue protein degrader for multiple myeloma, BMS is ahead of the curve with its CELMoD program of oral therapies for blood cancers. Among the key molecules in the company’s pipeline is CC-92480, or mezigdomide. In a Phase 3 trial , the asset, when combined with Amgen’s Kyprolis and a corticosteroid, showed improvement in progression-free survival (PFS) in patients with multiple myeloma that has returned following previous treatment. The combination, nicknamed MeziKd, is “a follow-on from approved early-generation molecular glues” that offers an oral option for patients with multiple myeloma with potential to be best in class, according to Driscoll. Paul Richardson, director of clinical research and clinical program leader at Dana-Farber’s Jerome Lipper Multiple Myeloma Center, in a March press release touted the drug combination as an important new regimen for patients whose cancer doesn’t respond to treatments like Darzalex or BMS’s own Revlimid. “While treatment advances have been meaningful, far too many patients with multiple myeloma still relapse or stop responding—making the need for new options urgent,” Richardson said in a prepared statement. MeziKd “could address a key unmet need” for relapsing patients, he added. Monte Rosa’s AI-propelled assets caught Novartis’ notice Monte Rosa Therapeutics is among the smaller companies making a splash in this space, securing two deals with Novartis to develop molecular glues derived from the biotech’s AI discovery engine. Novartis paid $150 million up front with the potential for $2.1 billion in milestones in a licensing agreemen t with Monte Rosa in 2024 to advance the latter’s molecular glues targeting the VAV1 protein. The Swiss behemoth followed that up last year with another $120 million in upfront payments and milestones that could bring deal’s total to $5.7 billion. In clinical trials for immune-mediated and autoimmune conditions, MRT-6160 in a first-in-human trial showed VAV1 degradation greater than 90%, as well as T cell, B cell and cytokine inhibition. Monte Rosa has also demonstrated clinical effectiveness with another molecule called MRT-2359 in patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer via a Phase 1/2 study with interim results released in December 2025. MRT-2359 is being combined in this trial with the anti-androgen medicine enzalutamide. Monte Rosa’s AI discovery platform has allowed the company to work more quickly than basic screening approaches normally allow, Driscoll said. “The discovery of novel targets is expanding the target space here and allowing Monte Rosa to come up with new targets and apply that to selectivity challenges, adding efficiency to the process,” he continued. Collaboration Novartis Sticks With Monte Rosa in Second Molecular Glue Deal Worth up to $5.7B Novartis and Monte Rosa first partnered in October 2024 for a molecular glue asset for immune-mediated and autoimmune diseases. This time, the pharma is putting $120 million down upfront for more of the biotech’s AI-discovered degraders. September 15, 2025 · 2 min read · Tristan Manalac Read more C4 touts ‘best in class’ potential for DACs C4 Therapeutics has also caught Big Pharma’s attention with its molecular glue-based degrader-antibody conjugates (DACs) C4 pulled in a $73 million series A financing round almost a decade ago along with a strategic collaboration with Roche. The partners followed that up in April with another licensing deal worth $20 million upfront and up to $1 billion in milestones down the road. Together, the companies are developing cemsidomide, formerly known as CFT-7455, a molecular glue degrader that targets the proteins IKZF1 and IKZF3 to treat multiple myeloma. The drug candidate is in a Phase 2 trial following a successful early-stage study in which C4 touted high overall response rates. “C4 is claiming best-in-class potential, and that’s very exciting for the multiple myeloma space, which doesn’t have too many oral drugs,” Driscoll said. Neomorph and numerous partners target HIF Another biotech with deep Big Pharma connections, Neomorph is currently running a Phase 1/2 trial of its molecular glue degrader NEO-811 in patients with locally advanced or metastatic non-resectable clear cell renal cell carcinoma. The San Diego–based company calls the HIF signaling pathway inhibited by NEO-811 the “ Achilles heel ” of clear cell renal cell carcinoma, and the program has attracted collaborations with industry giants AbbVie , Biogen and Novo Nordisk , each with more than $1 billion in potential milestone payments. Similar to Monte Rosa, Neomorph has “gone all-in on molecular glues” and a platform that allows the company to discover novel signals in proteins that make them an ideal target for degradation, Driscoll said. Neomorph’s library of molecular glues is based on “rational design rather than random chance,” according to the company, which allows for more intentional targeting of disease as early as the discovery stage. Deals AbbVie Teams Up With Neomorph for Molecular Glue Collab Worth up to $1.64B Protein degradation–focused Neomorph nabs its third Big Pharma deal of around $1.5 billion in less than a year. January 23, 2025 · 1 min read · Annalee Armstrong Read more Degron, Takeda aim to stick it to solid tumors Degron Therapeutics’ lead molecular glue degrader DEG6498 entered the clinic late last year to treat advanced solid tumors using an RNA-binding protein that was considered “previously undruggable,” according to a May press release announcing the company’s $40 million series A extension. And the company, like many of its molecular glue peers, has picked up critical Big Pharma funding, this time from Takeda, which in 2024 signed a deal with Degron worth up to $1.2 billion. Most importantly, Takeda gained access to Degron’s discovery platform, called GlueXplorer, which uses AI to predict novel targets. Takeda CSO Chris Arendt at the time lauded the ability of molecular glues to aim at targets that had previously been undruggable and inaccessible by other treatments. AI’s application in finding new targets for molecular glues allows the field to advance at a faster clip than would otherwise be possible, Driscoll said. This strategy, he said, “is where the magic is happening.” Business Takeda Joins Hot Molecular Glue Market With $1.2B Deal Riding the growing wave of interest in molecular glue degraders, Takeda has partnered with Chinese biotech Degron Therapeutics to develop novel therapies for oncology, neuroscience and inflammation. May 23, 2024 · 2 min read · Tristan Manalac Read more

航空旅行事关母婴安全，孕妇乘机时禁止携带的药物主要分为明确致畸的“X级”处方药（如异维A酸、甲氨蝶呤、利巴韦林）、含受控成分的日常用药（如含伪麻黄碱的感冒药、含可待因的止咳水）以及未经审批的生物制剂（如人体胎盘素注射剂）三大类，此外中药制剂中麝香、朱砂等活血化瘀类药材也需严格规避。一、航空禁运与药品监管的双重红线1. 乘机基础合规要求孕妇乘机需根据孕周提供医疗证明：32周以内按普通旅客运输，32-35周需72小时内开具的“适宜乘机”诊断证明；超过35周或预产期在4周以内者一般不予承运。所有随身药品必须保留原包装并附处方，液体药品单体容器容积不得超过100毫升，且需统一放置于容量不超过1升的可重复密封透明塑料袋中。2. 强制申报与审批携带麻醉类、精神类管制药物出境，必须提前申请《麻醉药品、精神药品进出口准许证》，否则面临法律风险。人体胎盘素等生物制品属于特殊物品，出入境需取得《特殊物品审批单》，无申报携带将被海关查扣。二、孕期严格禁用的X级处方药1. 致畸性最强的药物异维A酸：用于治疗重度痤疮，具有极强致畸性，可导致胎儿颅面部、心脏及中枢神经系统严重畸形，停药后需避孕满3个月再备孕。甲氨蝶呤：叶酸拮抗剂，干扰DNA合成，可导致流产或胎儿多发畸形（如颅骨缺损、肢体发育不全），计划怀孕的女性需提前数月停药。利巴韦林：抗病毒药物，对胚胎和胎儿有明确毒性，可致多种先天缺陷，男女双方用药期间及停药后6个月内均应避孕。2. 其他高风险处方药华法林：口服抗凝药，孕早期使用可引起“胎儿华法林综合征”（鼻梁塌陷、骨骼点状钙化、智力障碍），需更换为低分子肝素等更安全的替代方案。沙利度胺、丙戊酸钠：慢性病患者备孕时应提前3个月找医生换药，孕期严禁私自停药。三、含受控成分的日常用药1. 感冒与止咳药含伪麻黄碱的药物：如新康泰克等复方感冒药，在中国属于限售药品，在沙特、日本、澳大利亚等国被列为违禁品，即便个人医疗用途也不得入境。含可待因的止咳水：在阿联酋和新加坡属于严格管制药物，未经许可携带可能构成刑事犯罪。部分中成药：如蒲地蓝消炎制剂处方药、海珠喘息定片等，孕妇需遵医嘱避免自行携带。2. 解热镇痛与抗过敏药布洛芬、大剂量阿司匹林：孕早期易增加流产概率，孕晚期尽量禁用。安痛定、安乃近：孕妇禁用，可能影响胎儿发育。四、中药与生物制剂的特殊限制1. 禁忌中药成分活血化瘀类：麝香、朱砂、雄黄、蜈蚣、巴豆等毒性药材禁用，如跌打红花油、通滞苏润红制剂等中成药应避免携带。含酒精制剂：藿香正气水（酒精款）、十滴水等，酒精可导致胎儿酒精综合征（畸形、智力低下），孕期应完全规避。2. 生物制品监管人胎盘素注射剂：属于特殊物品，旅客携带入境需取得《特殊物品审批单》。2024年杭州萧山机场海关曾查获一名旅客行李中的人体胎盘素注射剂300支，按“无申报通道”入境被查扣。五、孕妇乘机携带药品的合规建议1. 处方药携带规范必须保留原包装，并附医生处方原件或复印件，处方需包含患者姓名、药品名称、剂量、使用频率等关键信息。携带注射类药物（如胰岛素），国际航班通常允许随身携带，但需提供医疗机构出具的医疗证明，建议主动向安检人员说明。2. 液体药品管理所有液体、凝胶类药品（如止咳糖浆、滴眼液）单体容器容积不得超出100毫升，且需装入容量不超过1升的透明塑料袋中单独过检。纯中药制剂（如合剂、膏方）需选择成分清晰、不含濒危物种成分的产品，并准备好英文版成分说明以应对检查。3. 出行前准备清单备齐产前检查手册、医生开具的诊断证明及适合乘机证明（孕32周以上需72小时内开具）。列出携带药物清单，包含通用名、剂量及用途的英文说明，以防突检或就医生需求。 内容由AI生成