Evogene Ltd. has announced a scientific collaboration with Professor Ehud Gazit of Tel Aviv University, facilitated by Ramot, the university’s technology transfer company.

The partnership aims to develop novel small molecule drug candidates for diseases caused by the ordered self-assembly of small metabolites, a process linked to conditions such as Tyrosinemia, Gout, and Maple Syrup Urine Disease (MSUD).

In these diseases, impaired breakdown of specific molecules can cause them to accumulate and form harmful aggregates. This phenomenon contributes to the pathology of a range of rare and common disorders.

The collaboration will combine Evogene’s ChemPass AI generative molecular design capabilities with Professor Gazit’s expertise in understanding and manipulating molecular self-assembly. Gazit’s work has shown that even very short peptides and metabolites can form amyloid-like nano-fibrils, offering new insights into disease mechanisms.

By applying advanced AI modelling, the partners aim to:

• Identify how therapeutic agents can intervene in metabolite self-assembly

• Create novel molecules designed with a combination of features for optimal therapeutic potential

Professor Gazit said: “For more than a decade, our research has revealed how small metabolites can form amyloid-like structures that drive disease. By integrating this knowledge with Evogene’s AI-driven drug design platform, we hope to create new therapies that target these processes and improve treatment for patients.”

Dr Gabi Tarcic, Evogene’s VP Product, added: “This partnership combines deep biological insights with powerful computational tools to address the challenges of metabolite aggregation diseases.”