Target protein

Q: Do I need to have a target sequence?
A: Yes, that is the minimum information we do require

Q: Do I need an experimentally resolved structure of my target?
A: No, if you don't have an experimental structure and there are none in the literature, we can generate it in silico. We can also design binders against intrinsically disordered proteins.

Q: Who is responsible for the physical target protein when I want in vitro validation?
A: We ask the customer to send us the physical target protein to ensure no time delays.

Q: How much target protein do you need?
A: None if you only want the sequences of our selected protein designs. If you want an in vitro validated protein, you still only very little target (~100 μg).

Target binding site info

Q: Can you target a specific binding site?
A: Yes, we can design to specific target binding sites. However, certain sites are intrinsically difficult to generate binders to, due to amino acid properties. We can access that prior to commencing a design campaign.

Q: If I don't know what site to target, can you still tell me where my binders will bind?
A: Yes, we can even try to generate a series of binders targeting different sites on your target.

Q: How sure are you that you have predicted the right target binding site?
A: When a de novo designed protein binder is validated as a true binder in vitro, we are confident that the binding occurs on the predicted region of the target.

AI de novo designed protein binders

Q: Can you design protein binders that are fit for therapeutic use? 
A: Yes, we can de novo design nanobodies and antibodies.

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Q: What are AI de novo designed protein binders?
A: They are custom AI generated protein binders that are optimised to their given targets.

Q: How big are AI de novo designed protein binders?
A: They can be any size you want them to be. If you have no scaffold requirements, we design in the range of 6-15kDa. If you require a specifc scaffold type such as an antibody then the protein design will of course be larger.

Q: If I buy only your selected portein design sequences, how sure are you that something will bind?
A: Our success rates vary between different types of targets. For most targets, the success rate lies between ~5-60% (nM-pM binding). For extremely difficult types of targets it can be <1%. Crucially, we leverage our experience and filtering metrics to estimate the succes rate for the given target and designs before we commence on the next steps of a development campaign. The risks and likelihood of success are communicated to our customers well beforehand.