Ep209: Mathai Mammen on Developing Drugs Against Undruggable Targets

Parabilis Medicines CEO Mathai Mammen details his transition from academic research and large-pharma leadership to pioneering alpha helical peptide technology. The company’s platform utilizes stabilized peptides to target "undruggable" proteins lacking traditional binding pockets, such as the beta-catenin/TCF complex. Mammen highlights the clinical potential of the lead candidate, zolocatetide, which has demonstrated significant objective response rates in treating desmoid tumors. Beyond technical innovation, the discussion addresses the role of data science in drug discovery and the necessity of mission-driven leadership in biotech. Mammen reflects on how personal experiences shaped his commitment to developing medicines that provide meaningful, durable therapeutic benefits for patients with limited treatment options, emphasizing the need for high-impact, first-in-class therapies over incremental improvements.