Nurix: Two sides of protein degradation

Nurix is flipping the concept of targeted protein degradation on its head. In addition to the usual approach of inducing target destruction, the company has technology that can block E3 ligase activity and increase a protein’s levels. The latter is the basis of its preclinical immuno-oncology partnership with Celgene Corp.

Backed by a $25.1 million series B from Third Rock Ventures and The Column Group and funds from Celgene, Nurix Therapeutics Inc. has developed two platforms that differentially modulate E3 ligases. Although founded in 2009, Nurix CEO Arthur Sands said the company “launched in earnest” in 2014 with the series B round, after it had gained a better understanding of E3 ligase biochemistry to enable screening and developed hit-to-lead programs to discover E3 ligase binders...