CDK9 Inhibition and Beyond: Selective Small Molecules and Their Bifunctional Derivatives for Cancer Therapy
Public support
Provider
Czech Science Foundation
Programme
Standard projects
Call for proposals
SGA0202600001
Main participants
Univerzita Palackého v Olomouci / Přírodovědecká fakulta
Contest type
VS - Public tender
Contract ID
26-20804S
Alternative language
Project name in Czech
CDK9 Inhibition and Beyond: Selective Small Molecules and Their Bifunctional Derivatives for Cancer Therapy
Annotation in Czech
Cyclin-dependent kinase 9 (CDK9) is a critical regulator of transcription, enabling continuous expression of oncogenes on which many tumor cells depend for survival. In numerous malignancies, aberrant CDK9 activity drives unchecked growth and resistance to therapy. We have identified small-molecule inhibitors with promising potency, specificity, and safety profiles, which we intend to optimize further. Building on these scaffolds, we aim to create heterobifunctional conjugates that induce protein proximity for either targeted degradation or promoter-specific gene activation. We will validate these constructs in lymphoma models overexpressing key oncogenic transcription factors, examining their biophysical interactions, cellular mechanisms, and therapeutic potential in vivo. This multidisciplinary approach seeks to overcome existing challenges in CDK9-based therapies and establish a next-generation platform for targeted cancer treatment.
Scientific branches
R&D category
ZV - Basic research
OECD FORD - main branch
10608 - Biochemistry and molecular biology
OECD FORD - secondary branch
30107 - Medicinal chemistry
OECD FORD - another secondary branch
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CEP - equivalent branches <br>(according to the <a href="http://www.vyzkum.cz/storage/att/E6EF7938F0E854BAE520AC119FB22E8D/Prevodnik_oboru_Frascati.pdf">converter</a>)
CE - Biochemistry<br>EB - Genetics and molecular biology<br>FP - Other medical fields
Solution timeline
Realization period - beginning
Jan 1, 2026
Realization period - end
Dec 31, 2028
Project status
Z - Beginning multi-year project
Latest support payment
—
Data delivery to CEP
Confidentiality
S - Úplné a pravdivé údaje o projektu nepodléhají ochraně podle zvláštních právních předpisů
Data delivery code
CEP26-GA0-GA-R
Data delivery date
Jun 2, 2026
Finance
Total approved costs
15,834 thou. CZK
Public financial support
15,681 thou. CZK
Other public sources
0 thou. CZK
Non public and foreign sources
153 thou. CZK