For more than 30 years, we have invested in advancing the science underlying our computational platform. As our technology advanced, our company evolved along with it.
Recognizing the opportunity to leverage the full power of our platform to drive internal discovery of molecules and clinical candidates for unmet medical needs, we formed Schrödinger’s therapeutics group.
Hematologic Malignancies
MALT1 is a key mediator of the NF-κB signaling pathway and the main driver of a subset of B-cell lymphomas. Ongoing, external clinical studies are showing promise of MALT1 as a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of several non-Hodgkin’s B-cell lymphomas.
AML/MDS
CDC7 is a protein kinase that plays a critical role in cell cycle regulation and DNA replication. Elevated replication stress is a common feature of many highly proliferative cancers. External clinical studies are showing promise of CDC7 as a potential therapeutic target in oncology.
Solid Tumors
Wee1 is a gatekeeper checkpoint kinase that prevents cellular progression through the cell cycle, allowing time for DNA repair before cell division takes place. Myt1 is a kinase found to be overexpressed in certain types of cancer. Concurrent loss of function of Wee1 and Myt1 confers selective vulnerability in cancer cells, a mechanism referred to as synthetic lethality. External clinical studies are showing promise of Wee1/ Myt1 inhibition as a potential therapeutic target in ovarian and uterine cancer.
Oncology
The SOS1 protein plays a critical role in cell signaling pathways and is involved in the activation and regulation of the KRAS gene. Oncogenic mutant KRAS stimulates the growth of several cancers, such as lung, pancreatic, and colon cancer. Inhibition of SOS1 is considered a potential therapeutic strategy for the treatment of KRAS-driven cancers.
Oncology
PRMT5-MTA inhibition has demonstrated clinical responses in both hematologic and solid tumors with improved safety versus PRMT5 inhibitors due to a synthetic lethal targeting of cancer cells with MTAP-deletions. We have identified selective, potent PRMT5-MTA inhibitors with potential applications in solid tumors, brain metastases and primary CNS tumors.
Oncology
EGFR inhibitors are first-line standard of care agents for advanced non-small cell lung cancer patients with activating EGFR mutations. We have identified multiple EGFRC797S inhibitors with potential to treat patients whose disease progressed following first-line treatment, potentially achieving deeper, more durable responses through new combination regimens.
Immunology
NLRP3 is a validated target, and mutations in the NLRP3 gene are associated with a broad spectrum of inflammatory and auto-immune diseases. We have identified structurally distinct, selective, NLRP3 inhibitors with anti-inflammatory activity in preclinical models, and are continuing to optimize peripheral and brain-penetrant leads.
Neurology
LRRK2 is a large multifunctional kinase enzyme and mutations in the LRRK2 gene have been shown to be associated with the development of Parkinson’s disease. Schrödinger has generated cryo-electron microscopy structures of LRRK2 to accelerate the identification of novel LRRK2 inhibitors.
Schrödinger received a $2.8 million research grant from The Michael J. Fox Foundation (MJFF) for Parkinson’s Research to investigate modes of safely inhibiting the LRRK2 protein for treatment of Parkinson’s disease.
Multiple Areas
We are progressing a number of undisclosed programs in multiple therapeutic areas. All of these programs are currently in the discovery stage.
Schrödinger’s therapeutics group is working on a number of collaborative drug discovery programs. We are eligible to receive milestones as certain of these programs progress through discovery and development stages, and royalties on sales for certain approved products.
Janus kinase 2 (JAK2) is a non-receptor tyrosine kinase that promotes excessive proliferation of red blood cells, white blood cells, or platelets. Mutations in the JAK2 gene are associated with several types of cancer. In collaboration with Ajax Therapeutics, Schrödinger is designing a JAK2 inhibitor. Schrödinger holds an equity stake in Ajax Therapeutics.
Heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90) is a chaperone protein that plays an essential role in many cellular processes, including cell cycle control, cell survival, and hormone signaling pathways. In collaboration with Bright Angel Therapeutics, Schrödinger is designing an Hsp90 inhibitor. Schrödinger holds an equity stake in Bright Angel Therapeutics.
In collaboration with BMS, Schrödinger is progressing an undisclosed program in neurology.
In collaboration with BMS, Schrödinger is progressing an undisclosed program to discover protein degraders targeting oncology, neurology, and immunology indications.
Acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC) is an enzyme involved in the synthesis of endogenous fatty acids and the breakdown of fatty acids at a cellular level. Schrödinger and Nimbus identified a unique series of ACC allosteric protein-protein interaction inhibitors with favorable pharmaceutical properties. Nimbus sold its ACC inhibitor program, firsocostat, to Gilead Sciences in a transaction valued at approximately $1.2 billion, and Schrödinger received a total of $46 million in cash distributions in 2016 and 2017.
α4β7 integrin is a well validated therapeutic target for the treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), such as Crohn’s disease and ulcerative-colitis (UC). Schrödinger and Morphic discovered MORF-057, which is currently progressing through Phase 2 studies in adults with moderate to severe UC. Lilly acquired Morphic in 2024.
In collaboration with Lilly, Schrödinger is designing a family of next-generation Next-Gen α4β7 inhibitors with enhanced properties.
αvβ8 integrin is known to activate selective isoforms of TGF-β and inhibit anti-tumor activity. Preclinical studies have shown that inhibitingα vβ8 can potentially drive responses in checkpoint refractory tumors. In collaboration with Lilly, Schrödinger is designing an αvβ8 inhibitor for the treatment of solid tumors and fibrosis.
In collaboration with Lilly, Schrödinger is progressing an undisclosed program for evaluation as a potential treatment for pulmonary arterial hypertension.
In collaboration with Lilly, Schrödinger is progressing an undisclosed program in immunology. Under the terms of the agreement, Schrödinger received an upfront payment and is eligible to receive up to $425 million in discovery, development, and commercial milestone payments, as well as low single- to low double-digit royalties on net sales of any products emerging from the collaboration in all markets.
Hematopoietic progenitor kinase 1 (HPK1) is an intracellular negative regulator of T cell proliferation and signaling and dendritic cell activation. Schrödinger and Nimbus identified an HPK1 inhibitor that is currently being evaluated for safety, tolerability, and preliminary anti-tumor activity in a Phase 1/2 clinical trial for patients with solid tumors.
In collaboration with Novartis, Schrödinger is progressing multiple undisclosed programs currently in discovery.
In December 2022, Schrödinger and Otsuka initiated a collaboration to discover novel medicines against undisclosed central nervous system (CNS) targets. Schrödinger received an undisclosed upfront milestone payment and is eligible for additional milestones as the program progresses.
Apelin receptor (APJR) is a class A peptide binding G protein-coupled receptor that plays an important role in regulating blood pressure, cardiac output, and maintenance of fluid homeostasis. Schrödinger and Structure Therapeutics discovered an oral APJR agonist, ANPA-0073, which is currently being evaluated in a Phase 1 clinical study for the potential treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Schrödinger holds an equity stake in Structure.
In collaboration with Structure, Schrödinger is progressing an undisclosed program currently in discovery.
Lysophosphatidic acid receptor 1 (LPA1R) regulates enteric nervous system function and contributes to chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction. Increased LPA levels and activation of LPA1 have been implicated in pulmonary fibrosis. Schrödinger and Structure discovered an oral LPA1R agonist, LTSE-2578, which is currently in preclinical development for the potential treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.
TAK-279 is a non-receptor tyrosine-protein kinase (TYK2) inhibitor
TYK2 is a key mediator of cytokine signaling pathways implicated in multiple inflammatory and autoimmune diseases such as psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and inflammatory bowel diseases. Schrödinger and Nimbus discovered the TYK2 inhibitor TAK-279 (formerly NDI-034858), which was acquired by Takeda in 2023 and is currently being evaluated for the treatment of multiple autoimmune diseases following positive Phase 2b results in psoriasis. Schrödinger maintains an equity stake in Nimbus and received a $111.3 million cash distribution in connection with Takeda’s acquisition of TAK-279.
In collaboration with Takeda, Schrödinger is advancing an undisclosed program in oncology. Under this multi-year, multi-target collaboration, Schrödinger conducts all drug discovery research and pharmacology activities through the development candidate stage, and Takeda has the option to acquire the program at either the lead optimization stage or development candidate stage and to develop and commercialize such product candidate from the program.
In collaboration with an undisclosed company, Schrödinger is advancing an undisclosed CNS program, which is currently progressing through a Phase 1 clinical study.
In collaboration with an undisclosed company, Schrödinger is advancing an undisclosed program in oncology, which is currently progressing through a Phase 1 clinical study.
Additionally, an early collaboration with Agios resulted in two FDA-approved medications, Idhifa® and Tibsovo®.
Our multidisciplinary team of platform experts and experienced drug development scientists are advancing proprietary programs in discovery and development.
We also collaborate on discovery projects with teams across the biopharma landscape in multiple disease areas, all with the potential to become first-in-class or best-in-class therapeutics.