Phage-display peptide ligand discovery for enzyme inhibitor and drug screening applications
Custom phage-display screening service that identifies high-affinity peptide ligands targeting enzyme active sites and protein-protein interaction interfaces. Peptides serve as inhibitors and molecular probes for fluorescence polarization-based high-throughput screening of small molecule drug libraries.
Overview
Tango Biosciences offers a phage-display based discovery service that identifies synthetic peptide ligands binding to enzyme active sites and protein-protein interaction interfaces. These peptides function as specific inhibitors and as molecular probes for competitive displacement assays. Identified peptides have demonstrated binding affinities in the 100 nM to 3 µM range and have been applied successfully in vitro and in vivo as inhibitors, converted to peptidomimetics, and used in fluorescence polarization (FP) drug screening campaigns.
This capability supports partners in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries who need affinity reagents and screening tools for challenging protein targets, including those involved in targeted protein degradation and protease profiling.
Technical specifications
Discovery workflow:
- Screening of combinatorial peptide phage libraries against chemically biotinylated target proteins
- Affinity selection of binders followed by sequencing and consensus motif deduction
- Validation of synthetic peptides by ELISA binding assays
- Evaluation in functional enzymatic assays to confirm inhibitory activity
- Development and validation of fluorescence polarization displacement assays for compound library screening
Key features:
- Recombinant platform that bypasses animal immunization for sustainable reagent generation
- Peptide ligands suitable as direct inhibitors, templates for peptidomimetic conversion, or screening probes
- FP-based displacement assay format enabling high-throughput identification of small molecule inhibitors
- Capability to assess specificity across related target proteins
Technology readiness level
The underlying phage-display methodology is validated and has been applied successfully across multiple enzyme and protein-protein interaction targets. The service workflow, including library screening, peptide synthesis, ELISA validation, enzymatic inhibition testing, and FP displacement assay development, represents an established capability ready for partner-sponsored projects. Future engagements can extend into peptidomimetic development and integration with downstream drug discovery programs.
About Tango Biosciences, Inc.
Tango Biosciences, Inc. is a Chicago-based biotechnology research company specializing in the development of custom affinity reagents using an innovative phage display platform. Founded in 2016, the firm utilizes protein engineering and combinatorial library screening to generate high-affinity, specific, and reproducible reagents, such as antibodies, antibody mimics, and monobodies. By bypassing traditional animal immunization, Tango’s recombinant workflow provides sustainable tools for challenging targets, enabling applications in research, diagnostics, and therapeutic discovery, including proximity-inducing modalities like molecular glues.
These solutions are critical for partners in the biotech and pharmaceutical industries who require reliable protein detection assays and high-throughput screening capabilities. The company’s technology, which includes its proprietary Avidimer platform, supports the development of targeted protein degradation tools and improved diagnostic assays, such as lateral flow tests for infectious diseases. Through various NIH-funded SBIR programs, Tango Biosciences continues to advance its research in peptide therapeutics and protease profiling, positioning itself as a strategic partner for accelerating early-stage drug discovery and assay development workflows.
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