Abide: Selecting serine hydrolases

Abide Therapeutics Inc. is developing an approach to selectively block serine hydrolases, potentially expanding this class of commercially validated enzymes as targets in a range of indications. Most of the new targets will require significant preclinical characterization and validation, which Abide plans to do with partners.

Serine hydrolases cleave bonds in proteins, peptides and small molecules to regulate processes from blood clotting to nervous system signaling. There are approved small molecule inhibitors targeting six human serine hydrolases, including acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4). Marketed beta lactam antibiotics and HCV NS3/4A protease inhibitors also target serine hydrolases...