#United States #Chicago #Blacksmith Medicines #oncology research #FEN1

Blacksmith Medicines at AACR 2025

Blacksmith Medicines, Inc., a pioneering name in biopharma dedicated to advancing therapeutics that target metalloenzymes, has exciting plans as it gears up for the AACR Annual Meeting 2025. Scheduled to take place from April 25-30 at the iconic McCormick Place Convention Center in Chicago, Illinois, Blacksmith will present groundbreaking data on its oncology program aimed at flap endonuclease 1 (FEN1).

Understanding FEN1

FEN1 is a critical structure-specific metallonuclease responsible for cleaving 5' DNA flaps during essential processes such as replication and repair. With its overexpression in various tumor types, it presents an attractive target for developing new cancer therapies. Its involvement in the Homologous Recombination (HR) repair pathway further emphasizes its potential as a candidate for synthetic lethality strategies in oncology.

Presentation Details

The details of Blacksmith's upcoming presentation are as follows:

• - Abstract Number: 5720
• - Title: “Novel FEN1 Nuclease Inhibitor Shows Synergy with PARP-Targeting Drugs”
• - Session Category: Experimental and Molecular Therapeutics
• - Session Title: PARP Inhibitors
• - Date and Time: Tuesday, April 29, 2025, from 2 PM to 5 PM
• - Location: Poster Section 24, Poster Board Number 7

Attendees can look forward to an insightful examination of the interplay between the FEN1 nuclease inhibitor and PARP-targeting drugs, which could pave the way for innovative therapeutic solutions in cancer treatment.

The Blacksmith Platform

What sets Blacksmith Medicines apart is its robust approach to tackling metalloenzymes. Historically, drug development targeting this category has faced challenges due to inherent limitations in small molecule chemistry. Blacksmith's innovative platform tackles these issues head-on by leveraging its proprietary fragment library of metal-binding pharmacophores (MBPs), an extensive metalloenzyme genome database, and the pioneering metallo-CRISPR library of custom single guide RNAs.

These tools, along with advanced computational capabilities in molecular docking, modeling, and structure-based drug design, enable Blacksmith to rapidly design small molecule inhibitors that effectively interact with key metal ions present in enzyme active sites. The result is a systematic and predictable method for developing selective and potent inhibitors for the metalloenzyme-targeted medicines market.

A Vision for the Future

At Blacksmith Medicines, the vision extends beyond just research. The company acknowledges the expansive universe of metalloenzymes, which account for over 30% of all known enzymes, including vital classes like oxidoreductases, transferases, hydrolases, lyases, isomerases, and ligases. These enzymes hinge on essential metal ions such as magnesium, zinc, iron, manganese, and copper.

Recognizing the significant need for novel therapeutic modalities, Blacksmith combines its extensive expertise and resources to develop a new class of medicines that target these crucial biological molecules. Their strategic partnerships with industry leaders such as Basilea Pharmaceutica, Eli Lilly, Hoffmann-La Roche, and others underline their commitment to leading this innovative frontier in biopharmaceuticals.

In conclusion, the upcoming AACR Annual Meeting promises to be a significant event for Blacksmith Medicines as it showcases research findings that could transform cancer therapeutics. The implications of their work on FEN1 and the broader landscape of metalloenzyme-targeted therapies could hold the key to unlocking new treatments for patients battling cancer. With continuous investment, development, and collaboration, Blacksmith is set to redefine the landscape of pharmaceutical science with its metalloenzyme research.

For more information, visit Blacksmith Medicines or follow them on LinkedIn.