COMMENTARY ARTICLE
Redefining Therapeutics through Targeted Protein Degradation

Beyond inhibition: the transformative power of targeted protein degradation

Targeted Protein Degradation (TPD) represents a paradigm shift in drug discovery by leveraging cellular proteostasis mechanisms to remove disease-relevant proteins instead of merely inhibiting them. Unlike traditional small-molecule inhibitors, TPD strategies—such as PROTACs and molecular glues—enable the catalytic degradation of previously undruggable targets. These modalities are rapidly advancing through preclinical and clinical pipelines, with over 20 degraders currently in trials and applications that span oncology, immunology, neurodegeneration, and rare diseases, along with increasing uses. Strategic partnerships and venture investments, totaling billions of dollars, underscore confidence in TPD’s scalability and commercial viability. This panel discussion explores the evolution of TPD from a scientific curiosity to a transformative therapeutic engine, addressing challenges such as resistance, tissue specificit ...