Event
CHI Drug Discovery Chemistry 2026 | Axxam Posters on PPI Drug Discovery & AI Library Design
Date: 13-16 April 2026
Location: San Diego, CA, USA
Maria Antonietta,
Scientific Research Expert
Integrated Drug Discovery and Chemical Libraries
Iolanda Micco, Scientific Officer
Integrated Discovery
Lewis Vann,
Director, BD & Sales
North America – West
Advancing PPI Drug Discovery with Integrated Screening and AI-Driven Design
Axxam will participate in CHI’s 21st Annual Drug Discovery Chemistry Conference, a key event focused on innovation in early-stage drug discovery.
At this year’s meeting, we will present two complementary approaches to support drug discovery targeting protein–protein interactions (PPIs)—combining high-throughput screening, orthogonal validation strategies, and machine learning–guided compound design.
Posters Presentation
A High-Throughput Screening and Triage Platform for Identifying PPI Disruptors in Cancer
Epigenetic and transcriptional dysregulation play a key role in cancer development, progression, and recurrence.
To identify small molecules capable of selectively disrupting disease-relevant protein–protein interactions (PPIs), Axxam developed a luminescence complementation assay based on truncated protein targets. This approach enables the evaluation of compound activity both:
- in cellular systems, preserving the native conformation of the target
- in cellular extracts, to assess disruption of the interacting partners
Using this platform, over 400,000 compounds (Axxam screening collection), including client libraries, were screened in a 384-well high-throughput format to identify modulators capable of disrupting PPIs in their native cellular context.
Machine Learning–Guided De Novo Design of a Proprietary PPI Modulator Library
To complement experimental screening, Axxam developed a machine learning–guided approach for the de novo design of a proprietary library of PPI modulators.
The strategy focuses on generating compounds tailored to PPI interfaces while maintaining relevant drug-like properties, enabling a more effective exploration of chemical space for these challenging targets.
These two contributions reflect Axxam’s integrated approach to tackling challenging targets.
Why Protein–Protein Interactions Matter in Drug Discovery
Protein–protein interactions play a central role in many disease pathways, particularly in oncology and complex disorders. However, their structural characteristics—often involving large and dynamic interfaces—make them difficult to target using conventional approaches.
Addressing these challenges requires the integration of complementary strategies, including advanced screening technologies and computational approaches.
Axxam’s Approach to PPI Drug Discovery
Axxam supports drug discovery programs through a combination of experimental and computational capabilities, including:
- Assay development for complex targets
- High-throughput
- Orthogonal validation and profiling
- Hit identification and hit-to-lead support
- Machine learning–guided compound and library design
This integrated approach is designed to support more informed decision-making throughout early drug discovery.
Meet us at the Conference
Our team will be available during CHI Drug Discovery Chemistry 2026 to discuss ongoing projects and potential collaborations.
If you are working on protein–protein interactions or other challenging targets, we would be happy to exchange insights and explore how we can support your research.