Discovery Begins
With Us
At the heart of our work lies a passion for turning bold scientific ideas into life-changing medicines. Guided by innovation and driven by collaboration, our team explores uncharted frontiers in medicinal chemistry and drug discovery.
We design novel therapies to tackle cancer, infectious diseases, and antimicrobial resistance. Every molecule we create is a step towards a healthier, more hopeful future.
News
TheThe latest news from our lab, featuring our groundbreaking discovery of new therapeutics, is showcased here.
New cancer drug boosts effectiveness of chemotherapy – even in resistant tumours
A groundbreaking cancer drug could enhance how patients respond to chemotherapy even in treatment-resistant tumours. A groundbreaking cancer drug could enhance how patients respond to chemotherapy even in treatment-resistant tumours….
Antifungal discovery offers hope against deadly drug-resistant infections
Scientists at King’s have developed a new class of antifungal compounds that could offer a powerful weapon against the rising threat of Candida auris, an emerging multidrug-resistant fungus spreading through…
Global action urgently needed to tackle antimicrobial resistance, experts warn
Researchers from King’s College London have called for urgent changes to the way new antibiotics are developed to address the growing problem of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). In a new review…
Grant supports effective antibiotics for people with cystic fibrosis
King’s and the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) have been awarded a joint grant to develop efflux-resistant antibiotics for treating lung infections in people with cystic fibrosis (CF). The grant…
King’s biotech spinout Pheon Therapeutics Raises $120m to develop novel anticancer agents
The investment raised at the close of its Series B funding round will enable Pheon Therapeutics (Pheon) to take three new Antibody-Drug Conjugates (ADCs), used to treat cancer, through clinical…
King’s biotech spinout re-launches with new name and $68 million funding
Pheon Therapeutics, which has its origins in research carried out in the Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences (IPS), launched on Wednesday 28 September based on a $68 million Series A financing…
Our Achievements at a Glance
The Discovery Pipeline
The Discovery Pipeline traces our journey from identifying promising molecular targets to developing innovative therapies that address some of the world’s most pressing health challenges.
Next-Generation Antibiotics for Drug-Resistant Priority Bacteria
We develop efflux-resistant antibiotics using our proprietary ERB technology to tackle multidrug-resistant Gram-negative pathogens. Our projects target respiratory infections, ESKAPE pathogens, and melioidosis, aiming to overcome efflux-mediated resistance and expand treatment options.
Novel Antifungal Agents for Multidrug-Resistant Fungal Pathogens
We design ERB-modified azole antifungals that retain activity against fungal targets while resisting efflux. These new compounds re-sensitise resistant strains such as Candida auris and C. glabrata, offering a promising route to next-generation antifungal therapies.
Innovative Payloads for Antibody–Drug Conjugates (ADCs)
We are developing efflux-resistant ADC payloads and entirely new cytotoxic scaffolds to overcome chemoresistance in cancer. By combining medicinal chemistry with transporter biology, our goal is to deliver more durable and effective ADC-based therapies.
Targeted Protein Degraders (PROTACs) as Anticancer Therapeutics
Our PROTAC projects focus on improving drug-like properties, mapping off-target effects, and developing degraders of NF-κB proteins such as RelA/p65. These efforts aim to create novel treatments for cancers and inflammatory diseases with limited options.
Heme Oxygenase-1 (HO-1) Inhibitors for Cancer Immunotherapy
We develop small-molecule HO-1 inhibitors that enhance the effectiveness of chemotherapy and immune attack. Current efforts focus on brain-penetrant molecules for treatment-resistant tumours, building on strong preclinical validation and recent Science Translational Medicine findings.
New Therapeutic Strategies Against Tuberculosis
Our TB projects explore oxicam analogues, nitrofuran isooxazolines, and metabolite mimics to tackle MDR and XDR TB. By potentiating existing drugs and developing new scaffolds, we aim to shorten regimens and combat resistance.
Designing Permeation Rules for Gram-Negative Bacteria
We are defining predictive rules for antibiotic penetration across Gram-negative membranes, a critical barrier in drug discovery. Using chemical probes, computational modelling, and ERB technology, we aim to establish design principles that guide next-generation antibiotic development.
