A molecular lock to protect healthy cells from side effects

Cancer cells grow out of control. They keep dividing when healthy cells would normally be quiescent. By nailing down the key biological differences between cancer and normal cells, PRUNUS is pioneering a new way of targeting cancer ----- using a molecular lock to protect healthy cells.  

PRUNUS’ broadly applicable AcK-Lock prodrug technology is designed to protect healthy cells from off-target effects by selectively releasing active agents in a wide range of cancer cells.

Since normal cells are unable to unlock, the agent stays inactive and rarely affects them. This approach would help to achieve maximal therapeutic potential while minimizing side effects.

PRUNUS takes bold steps for the future healthcare. Cancer therapeutics should target only cancer cells, leaving healthy cells unaffected. We believe that our unique programs would lead to new precision therapeutics & diagnostics that may dramatically improve treatment outcomes as well as quality of life.

PRUNUS Therapeutics is a Chicagoland-based biotech startup launched in 2016. PRUNUS’ main platform focuses on sustainable cancer therapeutics based on its proprietary AcK-Lock prodrug technology. AcK-Lock is a molecular lock designed to address off-target effects on healthy cells by selectively releasing active agents in a wide range of cancer cells. PRUNUS' pipeline products include small molecules, targeted protein/RNA degraders, biologics, vaccines, and companion diagnostic tests.