With the continuous advancement of antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) toward precision and multifunctionality, protein degraders, as a new generation of payloads, are bringing revolutionary breakthroughs to targeted therapies. Unlike traditional small molecule inhibitors, protein degraders can induce complete degradation of pathological proteins via the ubiquitin-proteasome or lysosomal pathways, making them especially suitable for "undruggable" targets. BOC Sciences keeps pace with cutting-edge trends and leverages its strong expertise in small molecule synthesis, linker chemistry, and ADC conjugation technologies to build a one-stop platform for protein degrader development. We comprehensively support the full process from molecular design and structural optimization to DACs construction and functional validation, accelerating the development of next-generation ADCs.
Protein degraders are active molecules that specifically target and promote the degradation of proteins, serving as innovative cytotoxic or functional payloads in ADCs. They modulate key intracellular protein levels in tumor or pathological cells through mechanisms including the ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS), lysosomal pathways, chaperone regulation, or targeted protein conformational interference. Common categories of protein degraders include PROTACs (Proteolysis Targeting Chimeras), molecular glues, small-molecule degraders, and other payloads that can be linked to ADCs.
Fig. 1. Protein degrader examples (BOC Sciences Authorized).
In ADC development, protein degraders are widely applied due to their high selectivity, controllability, and scalability, for instance, to degrade tumor-driving or drug-resistant proteins and enhance ADC antitumor activity and safety. Beyond ADCs, protein degraders are also employed in drug development, targeted cancer research, signal pathway analysis, target validation, and high-throughput screening platforms, providing core tool molecules for precision medicine, novel ADC platforms, and innovative anticancer drug design.
Protein degraders typically have large, complex structures with multiple functional groups, which may affect conjugation efficiency and stability. BOC Sciences specializes in molecular modification and site selection to ensure efficient conjugation while preserving payload activity.
Many degraders exhibit limited stability in vivo, impacting therapeutic performance. We provide linker optimization and encapsulation strategies to enhance metabolic stability and controlled release of the conjugates.
The intracellular delivery and release mechanisms of degrader-ADCs are not yet well established, making effect evaluation difficult. BOC Sciences offers comprehensive in vitro functional validation services from endocytosis and cleavage to target protein degradation.
Current degrader-based ADCs focus on a limited range of targets and lack systematic development pathways and precedents. We assist clients in conducting target evaluation and early-stage mechanistic validation, supporting the transformation and druggability of new targets.
To promote innovative applications of protein degradation technologies in the ADC field, BOC Sciences has built a comprehensive service platform for protein degrader-ADCs, covering the entire process from degrader design, synthesis, and modification to conjugation strategy development and functional validation. We aim to integrate the concept of targeted protein degradation with efficient antibody delivery mechanisms, tailoring highly selective and stable next-generation degrader-ADC solutions to help overcome traditional payload limitations and expand therapeutic targets.
BOC Sciences possesses an experienced chemistry team capable of designing and synthesizing a wide range of protein degraders based on client-specific targets, including but not limited to PROTACs, molecular glues, and novel inducers such as LYTAC, AUTAC, MADTAC, and ATTEC. Our services include:
To achieve efficient delivery, BOC Sciences provides personalized degrader conjugation technology services, including:
BOC Sciences now offers comprehensive DACs development services, coupling small molecule degraders as functional payloads to monoclonal antibodies for more precise delivery. The service includes:
BOC Sciences supports in vitro functional evaluation of degrader-ADCs, including:
BOC Sciences has deep expertise in both protein degradation technologies and ADC engineering. We integrate PROTACs, molecular glue, and monoclonal antibody conjugation to develop diverse degrader-ADC solutions, helping clients explore cutting-edge mechanisms and breakthrough targets.
We offer full-process custom services from target investigation, ligand screening to linker optimization. Combining structure-based design and pharmacophore modification, we create degraders with high selectivity, potent degradation activity, and favorable drug-like properties.
BOC Sciences has established a comprehensive conjugation chemistry platform, including amide bonds, click chemistry, ester bonds, and thiol-maleimide methods. We support both cleavable and non-cleavable linker development, enabling precise DAR control and site-specific conjugation to ensure conjugate stability and controlled release.
Equipped with advanced analytical instruments and method platforms, we can comprehensively characterize DACs/ADCs in terms of purity, DAR, antibody integrity, and release efficiency. We also offer functional assessments such as target degradation, cytotoxicity, and ubiquitination analysis.
BOC Sciences possesses process development and scale-up capabilities under GMP conditions, enabling rapid scale-up of lab-grade degraders and conjugates to kilogram scale, ensuring stable supply and technical support for preclinical and clinical phases.
Beyond protein degrader services, we also provide full-service ADC support, including antibody screening and engineering, humanization, linker design, conjugation process development, and pharmacology/toxicology evaluation—facilitating seamless transition of degrader-ADC projects from concept to IND filing.
Protein degradation refers to the cellular processes that recognize and break down target proteins, regulating intracellular protein levels, maintaining physiological balance, or removing abnormal proteins. In ADC research, understanding protein degradation mechanisms provides the scientific basis for designing protein degrader payloads that selectively target key tumor or resistance proteins, enabling precise cytotoxic or functional interventions to enhance ADC antitumor activity and selectivity.
Protein inhibitors are molecules that interfere with the function or activity of target proteins. Common examples include kinase inhibitors, protein–protein interaction inhibitors, small-molecule degraders such as PROTACs, and certain natural product derivatives. In ADC development, these inhibitors can serve as functional or cytotoxic payloads to precisely disrupt specific protein activity within cancer cells, enhancing targeted killing efficiency.
The major protein degradation systems include: (1) the Ubiquitin-Proteasome System (UPS), which tags proteins for rapid degradation by the proteasome, and (2) the Lysosome-Autophagy System, which delivers proteins to lysosomes via autophagosomes for breakdown. Both systems provide valuable references for ADC payload design, enabling the development of protein degrader payloads or targeted strategies against specific tumor proteins for efficient, controllable antitumor effects.
We provide custom development of multiple types of protein degraders, including PROTACs, molecular glues, LYTACs, AUTACs, and ATTECs, covering various degradation mechanisms and targeting pathways.
Yes, we offer complete degrader-antibody conjugates (DACs) services to efficiently conjugate degrader molecules to antibodies, enabling precise delivery and functional target protein degradation.
Typically, we need the name of the target protein, information on any known ligands (if available), project stage, and desired deliverables. We can also assist with target evaluation and molecular design.
Yes, we have small molecule libraries and computational screening capabilities to identify suitable binding ligands for target proteins and E3 ligases, followed by structural optimization and SAR analysis.
Absolutely. We can design pH-sensitive, redox-sensitive, or enzyme-sensitive linkers based on project needs, ensuring compatibility with different intracellular release mechanisms and therapeutic strategies.
We offer scale-up development from milligram to kilogram levels and can arrange production in GMP-compliant facilities as required to meet clinical development demands.
Yes. Our service modules are flexible. Clients can selectively commission synthesis, conjugation, analysis, or functional validation as independent modules.
We provide validation of target protein degradation via Western blot, ELISA, and immunoprecipitation, and support in vitro functional evaluations such as cytotoxicity, endocytosis, and ubiquitination analysis.
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