Enodia Therapeutics has entered into a research collaboration and licensing agreement with Pfizer to discover and develop small-molecule drugs targeting Sec61, a protein channel involved in the production of many proteins in cells. The deal has a potential value of more than $500 million, including upfront payments, milestone payments and royalties.
The partnership aims to develop new medicines using Enodia’s proprietary platform, which is designed to target disease-causing proteins at the point they are made. By acting early in the protein production process, the approach could help prevent harmful proteins from reaching the stage where they contribute to disease.
Under the agreement, Enodia will carry out research activities to identify, screen and optimise Sec61 inhibitor candidates against multiple targets selected as part of the collaboration. The company will use its drug discovery platform, supported by biological data, protein analysis and machine learning, to develop potential drug candidates.
Once the discovery collaboration period ends, Pfizer will be responsible for further clinical development, manufacturing, regulatory activities and commercialisation of the resulting candidates.
Enodia will receive an upfront payment and may qualify for additional payments linked to research progress, development milestones and sales. The agreement also includes tiered royalties on net sales, bringing the total potential value to more than $500 million. The companies have not disclosed the upfront payment or the specific targets covered by the deal.
Sec61 is a protein channel that helps newly made proteins enter a cellular system where they are processed and transported. Many proteins involved in inflammation and other diseases depend on this process. Enodia’s approach aims to selectively interfere with the production of disease-driving proteins while preserving essential proteins needed for normal cell function.
Yves Ribeill, chief executive officer of Enodia Therapeutics, said the company’s platform offers a way to selectively target harmful proteins while preserving important biological functions. He added that the partnership combines Enodia’s drug discovery technology with Pfizer’s development expertise and resources to explore potential new treatments.
Enodia is developing small-molecule therapies focused initially on inflammation, immunology and oncology, with potential applications in virology. Its technology is designed to support targeted protein degradation at the point of synthesis, offering a different approach from medicines that act on disease-causing proteins after they have already been produced.
The collaboration builds on Enodia’s work to expand its Sec61 research programme. In March 2026, the company acquired preclinical assets from Kezar Life Sciences related to Sec61-based drug discovery, strengthening its capabilities in this area.
The agreement highlights growing pharmaceutical industry interest in targeted protein degradation and new approaches to controlling disease-related proteins. If successful, the research could lead to new small-molecule treatments for diseases where existing therapies do not adequately address the underlying biological mechanisms.
The programmes remain at the discovery stage, and further research will be needed to determine whether the resulting drug candidates are safe and effective in humans.