Discovery and Development of First-in-Class Cereblon-Recruiting RIPK1 Degraders

Abstract

Receptor-interacting protein kinase 1 (RIPK1) is a critical regulator of programmed cell death and is implicated in various pathological conditions, particularly in mediating tumor resistance to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICBs). In this study, we have pioneered the development of a novel cereblon (CRBN)-recruiting RIPK1 degrader, LD5095, through systematic optimization of linker and CRBN ligand portion. LD5095 demonstrates potent and selective RIPK1 degradation across cell lines, with rapid kinetics and sustained degradation over 72h post-washout. Functionally, RIPK1 degradation by LD5095 significantly sensitized Jurkat cells to TNF-induced apoptosis. Furthermore, LD5095 exhibited favorable pharmacokinetics, including metabolic stability and an extended half-life. Strikingly, in vivo, a single dose of LD5095 achieved durable RIPK1 degradation in xenograft tumors over 6 days. These findings underscore the potential of LD5095 as a chemical probe for studying RIPK1 biology and a promising candidate for cancer treatment.