Controlling Protein State, Not Just Targets: A New Paradigm for Drug Development

​Teaser
What if target engagement is no longer enough? Across neurodegeneration and beyond, drugs keep failing despite “validated” targets. This session explores a growing shift toward controlling protein state and dynamics rather than static targets — what it enables, what it breaks, and where the real risks still lie.

Why is this topic relevant?
Drug discovery is facing a credibility problem. For decades, the industry has relied on target-based approaches, yet in areas like neurodegeneration, repeated late-stage failures have shown that hitting the “right” target is often not enough. This raises a fundamental question: are we optimizing the wrong paradigm?
At the same time, new capabilities are shifting what is possible. Advances in protein biophysics, more sensitive biomarkers, and AI-enabled drug discovery now allow intervention at the level of protein state and dynamics rather than just static targets, opening up entirely new ways to understand and treat disease.
This matters because the stakes are enormous. Neurodegenerative diseases represent one of the largest unresolved challenges in aging societies, with significant economic and societal consequences. For builders and investors, this creates a critical moment — deciding whether this shift represents a true paradigm change or just another cycle of overpromising science.

The session will take place on the VITALA Planet at VENTURE SPRIND 2026, held at Futurium in Berlin. You will need a VENTURE SPRIND ticket to enter the venue and attend the session.
If you don’t have one yet but are an active investor, just drop us a line at [email protected] - there’s a good chance we can sort you out with a ticket. Availability is limited.