Dublin, Ireland & Lund, Sweden — 17 May 2022: SelekTx founders Prof. Sara Linse (Lund University) and Prof. David O’Connell (University College Dublin), together with Dr Pietro Sormanni University of Cambridge, report the discovery of engineered protein binders that selectively inhibit the most toxic step in the amyloid-β (Aβ42) aggregation pathway implicated in Alzheimer’s disease published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences USA (PNAS USA). This basic research lays the foundation for the development of a new class of precision biologic, Selektides, to target difficult-to-drug disease proteins via a new platform drug discovery approach that will be developed by SelekTx, a UCD spin out project.
In this landmark publication, the research team employed proprietary libraries of engineered protein scaffolds to identify and characterise the first known selective inhibitor of secondary nucleation in Aβ42 aggregation—a key mechanism responsible for the formation of neurotoxic oligomeric intermediates. The lead candidate, SXkmer-YLTIRLM, binds specifically to these transient intermediates, preventing their proliferation and halting the autocatalytic cascade that drives disease progression.
“This study is the first demonstration of the SelekTx platform’s capability to generate precision biologics that modulate previously intractable protein conformations,” said Prof. David O’Connell. “Our novel biologic scaffold enabled us to develop stable, high-affinity binders with exquisite selectivity—a hallmark of the therapeutic candidates we aim to develop across a wide range of diseases.”
Published under the title “An aggregation inhibitor specific to oligomeric intermediates of Aβ42 derived from phage display libraries of stable, small proteins,” the study establishes proof-of-concept for the SelekTx Drug Discovery Platform. The company is now advancing this platform to target G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) in oncology, metabolic, and inflammatory diseases, where traditional small molecule and antibody therapeutics have struggled with selectivity and safety.
The SelekTx platform, invented by Profs. Linse and O’Connell and patented by University College Dublin, forms the core of SelekTx’s proprietary Selektide libraries. The company is currently conducting in vivo pharmacokinetics studies on its lead GPCR-targeting Selektide candidates, with data expected in Q2 2025 to support Series A fundraising and strategic partnering discussions.
About SelekTx
SelekTx is a research project pioneering the development of a novel class of precision biologics against difficult-to-drug targets arising from a long-standing scientific collaboration between Professor Sara Linse (Lund University) and Professor David O'Connell (University College Dublin, UCD). The platform’s core, the patented libraries of novel biologics based on the human S100G protein, enables the discovery of high-affinity, structurally precise therapeutics with improved selectivity, stability, and tissue penetration. The intellectual property and patents underpinning the SelekTx platform, including its patented biologic scaffold libraries, are owned by University College Dublin (UCD).
Contact: Professor David O'Connell
Email: david.oconnell@ucd.ie
Website: www.selektx.com