Asit, what led you to join MOMA in 2021?
My journey into the medical field began with a solid foundation in university and medical school, aiming to become a physician scientist. Late in my academic training I felt a strong pull toward a more unifying career as opposed to constantly moving between bench and bedside, which is what drove me toward pursuing a career in the pharmaceutical industry. However, I was not ready to give up patient care altogether. As a board-certified specialist in gastroenterology and liver disease in Massachusetts, I spent considerable time practicing medicine alongside my primary roles in industry, most often during nights, weekends, and holiday.
My passion extends beyond direct patient care, which I find immensely gratifying, but also in the potential to transform the practice of medicine on a larger scale. This ambition requires a commitment to systemic cooperation across various sectors, including regulation, clinical investigation, and scientific exchange. What attracted me to MOMA was the company’s commitment to high-quality science and team of like-minded scientists and investors focused on long-term goals, despite the inevitable ups and downs in scientific research.
What does MOMA stand for?
MOMA stands for “Molecular Machines,” highlighting our focus on a class of enzymes that perform crucial and laborious tasks within cells, such as utilizing ATP for energy-intensive reactions. This terminology, while not coined by MOMA, is well recognized in the scientific community for describing these essential workhorse enzymes. Our interest in molecular machines stems from their role in fundamental biological processes and their potential as therapeutic targets due to their involvement in a wide range of diseases.
Our focus on molecular machines addresses the broader challenge of targeting proteins characterized by their complex motion and interaction within cells. These proteins, often large and dynamic, require a deep understanding of their motion to develop effective drugs. MOMA's founding principle was to address the low productivity rate in drugging this class despite strong genetic links to human diseases, a challenge compounded by their dynamic nature and diversity. Our approach aims to overcome these obstacles by leveraging insights into the protein's structure and motion to innovate in drug development.
Could you elaborate on the diseases linked to the class of proteins you are focusing on?
This class of proteins is implicated in a myriad of diseases due to their ubiquitous nature and role in essential cellular functions like protein degradation, transport, and DNA unwinding. MOMA's research has primarily concentrated on cancer, though the potential applications span across immunology, cardiovascular biology, gastrointestinal and liver diseases, and neuroscience. By targeting specific ATPases linked to genetic validations of diseases, our platform aims to address unmet clinical needs with precision.
Can you introduce MOMA's platform, the KnowledgeBase?
The KnowledgeBase serves as our North Star, guiding our approach to drug discovery for dynamic proteins. It is a comprehensive repository built on the premise that proteins within our target class share more similarities at the structural level than at the sequence level. This understanding allows us to identify and target three-dimensional pockets within these proteins more effectively.
The KnowledgeBase encompasses structural frameworks for ATPases, advanced hit-finding technologies to identify potential drug-like molecules, and computation-enabled lead optimization to develop these molecules into viable drugs. This integrated platform enables us to tackle the challenges of drugging highly dynamic targets with greater precision and success.
Tell us more about your recent collaboration with Roche. Why is that big news for you?
While we have not yet publicly disclosed our full pipeline, our collaboration with Roche highlights our platform's potential and our focus on oncology. This partnership, announced in January 2024 and focused on early drug discovery, leverages our KnowledgeBase to target specific proteins of mutual interest. It exemplifies our belief in precision therapeutics and our ability to tackle difficult-to-drug targets with a predictable methodology.
Under this collaboration, MOMA will lead drug discovery efforts up to the development candidate stage, after which Roche may opt to take over for clinical development and commercialization. This partnership not only validates our approach but also amplifies our capacity to pursue a broader portfolio aligned with our thematic interests, demonstrating the strength of our platform and our strategic alliances.
What is your opinion on the current investment climate in your industry?
The investment landscape for life sciences, including for companies like MOMA, reflects both challenges and opportunities. Companies rooted in strong science and patience, equipped with a team of dedicated scientists and insightful investors, are likely to attract funding regardless of the prevailing economic conditions.
The past few years have been challenging, emphasizing the importance of fundamentals and execution. A strong track record in execution differentiates companies, making them more attractive to investors. Looking forward, there is cautious optimism for biotech and pharma, supported by a correction in the market that realigns expectations with more realistic goals. This return to normalcy is essential for sustainable growth and innovation in the sector.
What is your take on recent regulatory changes in the U.S.?
Regulatory developments, such as the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), present a mixed picture for the biotech sector. While the intentions behind these regulations might aim for equity and patient assistance, their practical implications can seem arbitrary and not uniformly beneficial across different classes of molecules.
Despite potential challenges, MOMA's focus remains unchanged: to transform patients' lives through innovative small molecule technologies. Regulatory landscapes are dynamic, and MOMA is poised to adapt, ensuring that our commitment to groundbreaking science and patient care persists. Understanding and adapting to regulatory changes, especially in precision medicine and oncology, are crucial for advancing patient-centric therapies.
How is machine learning integrated into MOMA's development processes?
Machine learning (ML) and AI are increasingly central to our operations, particularly in identifying patterns in DNA-encoded library outputs and enhancing lead optimization technologies. These tools allow for more efficient advancement of molecules with favorable properties for humans by processing vast datasets to predict successful chemical modifications. As we approach clinical stages, ML also offers potential in optimizing patient recruitment and trial design. Although the pace of integration may vary, targeted applications of ML and AI are poised to significantly impact our research and development processes, reflecting a broader trend of leveraging these technologies in biotech for precision and efficiency.
What are your principal objectives for the next three to five years?
Over the next three to five years, we aim to achieve early proofs of concept with two lead assets by demonstrating tangible benefits to patients in clinical trials. This goal underscores our commitment to translating scientific innovation into clinical success.
Additionally, we anticipate further maturing our early pipeline and collaboration projects, such as those with Roche, towards clinical development. A broader objective is to establish MOMA as a recognized name in biopharma, known for its high-quality science and as a preferred partner in developing drugs that address unmet patient needs. These ambitions reflect our dedication to making a significant impact on patient care and the scientific community.
