Talus Bioscience, Inc., an AI-driven regulome therapeutics company based in Seattle, has announced a strategic collaboration with PRISM BioLab Co., Ltd., a Tokyo-based biotechnology firm, to accelerate the discovery of novel small-molecule modulators targeting transcription factors (TFs) and protein-protein interactions (PPIs). This partnership brings together Talus Bio’s AI-powered regulome profiling platform with PRISM’s proprietary PepMetics® chemistry technology to tackle some of the most challenging targets in drug discovery. Alex Federation, PhD, CEO and Co-Founder of Talus Bio, highlighted the transformative potential of the collaboration. He stated that the integration of PRISM’s chemistry with Talus Bio’s ability to monitor transcriptional network changes in real time within live human cells enables a breakthrough approach to targeting previously undruggable proteins. “This collaboration gives us an unprecedented opportunity to pursue targets that have resisted conventional drug discovery,” Federation said. “It’s a step-change in our ability to drug the undruggable.” Under the agreement, PRISM’s small-molecule libraries will be screened using Talus Bio’s AI-guided regulome profiling system to identify and optimize compounds that modulate TF and PPI activity. The platform allows for the simultaneous analysis of hundreds to thousands of targets in their native cellular environment—overcoming limitations of traditional biochemical assays that typically assess one target at a time. The collaboration aims to generate first-in-class chemical probes with direct functional impact on transcriptional regulation. Talus Bio and PRISM will share the costs of discovery and development, as well as any future profits from licensing or commercialization of resulting therapeutics. Dai Takehara, President and CEO of PRISM BioLab, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership. He noted that while PRISM has developed chemistries for PPI targets, the complexity of these interactions often makes them difficult to model effectively. “Talus can profile these targets in parallel and in their native context—something we’ve not been able to do before,” Takehara said. “Together, we believe we can unlock a wealth of inhibitors against targets once considered undruggable and pave the way for new therapies.” This alliance marks a significant advancement in systematically addressing transcriptionally driven diseases, including cancer, autoimmune disorders, and fibrosis. By combining deep biological insight with AI and innovative chemistry, the companies are building a scalable platform to target regulatory mechanisms long deemed inaccessible to small-molecule drugs. Talus Bio will be presenting at the 2026 J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference in San Francisco from January 12 to 15. The company is also open to additional partnership and co-development opportunities. For more information, interested parties can contact the Talus Bio team directly. Follow Talus Bioscience on LinkedIn for ongoing updates.