⛨ VEPDEGESTRANT - PROTAC DRUG APPROVED

 

🔆 VEPDEGESTRANT – World's First PROTAC Drug Approved

📌 Why in News?

The U.S. FDA has approved Vepdegestrant, the world's first PROTAC (Proteolysis-Targeting Chimera)-based drug, marking a major breakthrough in targeted cancer therapy.

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📖 Key Highlights

🔹 What is Vepdegestrant?

• World's first approved PROTAC-based drug.
• Designed for targeted protein degradation rather than simply blocking disease-causing proteins.
• Approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

🔹 Developed By

• Arvinas Inc.
• Pfizer

🔹 Indication

Used to treat:

• ESR1-mutated
• ER-positive (Estrogen Receptor Positive)
• HER2-negative
• Advanced or Metastatic Breast Cancer

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⚙️ How Does It Work?

Unlike conventional drugs that block harmful proteins, Vepdegestrant uses PROTAC technology.

Working Mechanism

• Identifies the disease-causing protein.
• Recruits the cell's ubiquitin-proteasome system.
• Tags the harmful protein for destruction.
• The protein is completely degraded and removed from the cell.

👉 This allows repeated destruction of disease-causing proteins, making the drug more effective.

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⭐ Key Features

• ✅ World's first approved PROTAC drug
• ✅ Oral, once-daily tablet
• ✅ Catalytic action—one molecule can degrade multiple target proteins
• ✅ Improved Progression-Free Survival (PFS) compared to Fulvestrant in Phase III clinical trials
• ✅ Opens new possibilities for treating previously "undruggable" proteins

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📚 Static GK Linkage

What is PROTAC?

PROTAC (Proteolysis-Targeting Chimera) is a technology that destroys unwanted proteins inside cells by utilizing the body's natural ubiquitin-proteasome system.

Ubiquitin-Proteasome System

• Acts as the cell's protein recycling and waste disposal system.
• Removes damaged, abnormal, or unnecessary proteins.

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🧠 Memory Trick

PROTAC = PROtein TArgeted Cleaner

👉 PROTAC cleans away harmful proteins instead of merely blocking them.

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🎯 TNPSC Prelims Facts

• First approved PROTAC drug → Vepdegestrant
• Approved by → U.S. FDA
• Developed by → Arvinas Inc. & Pfizer
• Used for → ESR1-mutated ER-positive HER2-negative advanced/metastatic breast cancer
• Technology → Targeted Protein Degradation (PROTAC)

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📝 PYQ Link

Topic: Biotechnology | Human Health & Diseases | Modern Drug Technologies

Questions related to biotechnology, cancer therapies, and protein degradation mechanisms are frequently asked in TNPSC Group I, Group II, and Group IV examinations.

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🎯 AURA Quiz Zone

1. Vepdegestrant is the world's first approved drug based on which technology?

A) CRISPR
B) PROTAC
C) mRNA
D) Monoclonal Antibody

Answer: ✅ B

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2. Vepdegestrant has been approved primarily for treating:

A) Lung Cancer
B) Blood Cancer
C) Breast Cancer
D) Liver Cancer

Answer: ✅ C

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3. The PROTAC technology works by:

A) Blocking DNA replication
B) Destroying target proteins using the ubiquitin-proteasome system
C) Killing bacteria directly
D) Producing antibodies

Answer: ✅ B

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4. Which companies jointly developed Vepdegestrant?

A) Moderna & BioNTech
B) Pfizer & Arvinas
C) Roche & Novartis
D) AstraZeneca & Merck

Answer: ✅ B

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5. Vepdegestrant is administered as:

A) Injection
B) Vaccine
C) Oral once-daily tablet
D) Nasal Spray

Answer: ✅ C