Target

Target Enabling Packages

Target Enabling Packages

An overview of Target Enabling Packages at the SGC

Target Enabling Packages (TEPs) are comprehensive, peer-reviewed toolkits designed to facilitate the rapid pharmacological validation of potential drug targets. These packages empower researchers worldwide by providing detailed information and resources related to specific protein targets implicated in various diseases.

What are Target Enabling Packages (TEPs)?

TEPs are collaborative outputs that bring together expertise from geneticists, biochemists, structural biologists, medicinal chemists, cell biologists, clinicians, and computational experts. Each TEP includes a wealth of open science methods, reagents, and knowledge about a protein target encoded by a disease-associated gene. The aim is to enable researchers to validate or invalidate these protein targets quickly and effectively in relevant disease models, fostering subsequent drug discovery efforts.

The TEP Program at SGC

The TEP program was first introduced by the SGC and funded by Wellcome, later gaining support from prestigious organizations such as the US National Institute on Aging (NIA) and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. These collaborations have underscored the feasibility and value of TEPs in drug discovery, particularly for conditions like Alzheimer's disease and women's health issues.

The success of initial TEP projects has laid the groundwork for the next phase of SGC to use computational methods and accelerate TEP discovery and contribute to Target 2035 mission.

Why TEPs Matter

TEPs are crucial for several reasons:

  • Accelerated Research: By providing comprehensive, validated resources, TEPs significantly reduce the time and effort required for researchers to initiate drug discovery programs.
  • Open Science: TEPs embody the principles of open science, ensuring that valuable data and reagents are freely available to the global research community.
  • Collaboration and Innovation: TEPs foster collaboration across various scientific disciplines, driving innovation and facilitating breakthroughs in understanding and treating diseases.