LYTAC Platform

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Lysosomal Targeting Chimeras (LYTAC) for Extracellular and Membrane Protein Degradation

At PI Health Sciences, our LYTAC (Lysosomal Targeting Chimera) platform enables targeted degradation of extracellular and membrane-bound proteins, expanding therapeutic reach beyond traditional intracellular targets. As a next-generation New Modalities approach, LYTAC degraders leverage endogenous lysosomal trafficking pathways to achieve complete and selective protein elimination rather than transient inhibition.

Our Lytac platform is designed to support programs from hit identification through preclinical candidate nomination, integrating target biology, receptor biology, glycochemistry, and antibody or ligand engineering under a single scientific framework. By exploiting cell-surface lysosome-targeting receptors, we enable access to disease-driving proteins previously considered undruggable, including receptor tyrosine kinases, immune checkpoint proteins, and pathogenic secreted factors.

By combining modular degrader design, receptor-specific tissue targeting, and mechanistic degradation readouts, PI Health Sciences delivers LYTAC programs that are translationally relevant, tissue-aware, and aligned with downstream IND-enabling expectations.

Hit-to-Candidate Workflow

Target Selection
LYTAC Design
Optimization
Candidate Selection
Target validation Glycopeptide synthesis Degradation kinetics GLP toxicology
Receptor expression Conjugation chemistry Selectivity profiling IND-enabling studies
Tissue distribution LYTAC characterization PK/PD optimization CMC development
POI binder selection (small molecule, peptide) Ternary complex formation In vivo efficacy Manufacturing scale-up
LTR selection Internalization assays Tissue distribution Regulatory strategy
Feasibility assessment Initial degradation Immunogenicity Biomarker validation
Formulation dev. Clinical trial design

Lysosome-Targeting Receptors (LTRs)

Receptor
Ligand
Tissue Distribution
Applications
CI-M6PR
(Cation-Independent M6P Receptor)
M6Pn
(Poly-mannose-6-phosphonate)
Ubiquitous
(Most cell types)
General LYTAC, EGFR, CD71, PD-L1, c-Met
ASGPR
(Asialoglycoprotein Receptor)
Tri-GalNAc
(Triantennary GalNAc)
Liver-specific
(Hepatocytes: 500K+ copies/cell)
Liver-targeted degradation, hepatic diseases
TfR (CD71)
(Transferrin Receptor)
Transferrin or anti-TfR antibodies Ubiquitous,
high in brain (BBB transport)
CNS delivery, neurodegenerative diseases
CD206
(Mannose Receptor)
Mannosylated glycans Macrophages, microglia,
dendritic cells
CNS targeting, Alzheimer’s (Aβ degradation)
Emerging LTRs Custom ligands Tissue-specific Precision targeting

Validated LYTAC Targets & Therapeutic Areas

Target Protein
Target Type
Therapeutic Application
EGFR
Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor
Membrane RTK NSCLC, glioblastoma, head & neck cancer
PD-L1
Programmed Death-Ligand 1
Membrane immune checkpoint Cancer immunotherapy, checkpoint resistance
CD71 (TfR)
Transferrin Receptor
Membrane receptor Proliferative cancers, iron metabolism disorders
ApoE4
Apolipoprotein E4
Secreted protein Alzheimer’s disease, cardiovascular disease
c-Met
Hepatocyte Growth Factor Receptor
Membrane RTK Gastric cancer, NSCLC, resistance to EGFR inhibitors
Aβ Aggregates
Beta-Amyloid
Extracellular aggregates Alzheimer’s disease, cerebral amyloid angiopathy

Our Capabilities

01

LYTAC Target Biology and Validation

Comprehensive validation of extracellular and membrane protein targets through receptor expression profiling, tissue distribution analysis, and degradability assessment to ensure biological relevance and translational feasibility.

02

Modular LYTAC Design and Engineering

Rational design of LYTAC degraders using antibodies, Fab fragments, peptides, or small-molecule binders, coupled with optimized lysosome-targeting receptor ligands for tissue-aware precision.

03

Glycochemistry and Conjugation Excellence

Advanced glycopeptide synthesis and site-specific conjugation technologies inspired by ADC platforms, enabling stable, reproducible LYTAC constructs with controlled stoichiometry.

04

Mechanism-Driven Degradation Assessment

End-to-end validation of ternary complex formation, receptor-mediated internalization, lysosomal trafficking, and quantitative degradation kinetics to confirm true protein elimination.

05

PK, PD, and In Vivo Translational Optimization

Integrated PK, tissue distribution, and exposure–degradation relationship studies with in vivo efficacy and selectivity profiling to support confident translational decision-making.

06

Preclinical and IND-Enabling Advancement

LYTAC programs developed with immunogenicity assessment, formulation strategy, GLP toxicology planning, CMC readiness, and regulatory alignment to enable seamless progression to IND submission

Frequently asked questions

We’re here to help with any questions you have about plans, pricing, and supported features.

What differentiates LYTAC degraders from other targeted protein degradation approaches?

LYTAC degraders enable lysosomal degradation of extracellular and membrane-bound proteins by hijacking cell-surface lysosome-targeting receptors. Unlike intracellular degradation strategies, LYTAC technology expands the druggable proteome to include secreted proteins, immune checkpoints, and receptor tyrosine kinases.

How does PI Health Sciences approach tissue-specific targeting in LYTAC programs?

Tissue specificity is achieved through receptor selection and ligand engineering, including ASGPR for liver targeting, TfR for CNS access, and CD206 for immune and microglial cells. Receptor expression and biodistribution are evaluated early to guide degrader design.

What protein formats can be used to build LYTAC degraders?

PI Health Sciences supports modular LYTAC design using monoclonal antibodies, Fab fragments, peptides, and small molecules as protein-of-interest binders, enabling flexibility across therapeutic areas and development stages.

How are LYTAC programs advanced toward IND readiness?

LYTAC candidates are progressed through integrated degradation validation, PK and tissue distribution studies, immunogenicity assessment, formulation development, and GLP-aligned toxicology planning, ensuring a coherent regulatory narrative for IND submission.

Contact Us

Connect with PI Health Sciences to explore how our customized pharmaceutical development services can streamline your molecule’s journey from concept to market with precision and confidence.