Cover Feature: Direct Inhibition of the YAP : TEAD Interaction: An Unprecedented Drug Discovery Challenge (ChemMedChem 19/2024)

The Hippo pathway is deregulated in many cancers, and one approach to target these tumors is by inhibiting the interaction between YAP and TEAD. The interface between these two proteins is large and consists of several distinct contact areas. Therefore, discovering molecules that can inhibit this interaction is particularly challenging. The review 10.1002/cmdc.202400361 by Patrick Chène summarizes how the knowledge obtained from structure-function studies of the YAP:TEAD interaction was used to devise a strategy for identifying a potent low-molecular weight compound, IAG933, which is currently undergoing clinical trials.