Solving the “Undruggable” Disease Problem with Goldilocks Molecules
In this episode, Christian Schafmeister, Founder and President of Third Law Molecular, reveals a new class of therapeutics designed to target what most consider “undruggable” diseases—conditions like Alzheimer’s, certain cancers, and rare genetic disorders.
Christian explains the science behind spiroligomers—modular, mid-sized molecules that act like molecular LEGOs, offering the perfect balance between small molecules and biologics. Learn how his team created a library of 4.5 billion molecules and what makes these structures uniquely suited to bind difficult protein targets, including disordered proteins and intracellular surfaces.
We also talk about the Goldilocks Zone of drug design, how Third Law’s chemistry was born out of academic and defense-backed research, and why the future of drug discovery may lie in designing therapeutics that are just right.
🎙️ Guest: Christian Schafmeister | Founder and President at ThirdLaw Molecular
🔗 Connect with Christian: LinkedIn
🔗 ThirdLaw Molecular Website
🔗 Spiroligomers Presentation
📌 Chapters:
00:00 Introduction to Undruggable Diseases
01:30 Discovering Spiroligomers: A New Class of Molecules
08:04 Challenges in Targeted Drug Discovery
09:31 Building a Library of Molecules
14:47 The Birth of Third Law Molecular
17:19 The Goldilocks Molecule Concept
19:56 Applications in Cancer and Other Diseases
21:24 Collaborations with Big Pharma
23:39 Handling Clinical Trials
27:20 Future Directions and Industry Insights
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For transcripts, check out the podcast website - www.lifesciencespod.com
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