TAC to the future: Where induced proximity is pointing in 2026 

After a decade of industry focus on PROTACs, next-generation induced proximity technologies are coming of age, with pharma interest reflected in deals and investments. Company activity and academic publications spotlight alternative E3 ligases, membrane-localized degraders and mechanisms beyond protein degradation that are gaining momentum.

The first wave of classical proteolysis targeting chimera (PROTAC) companies are well into the clinic, with Arvinas Inc. (NASDAQ:ARVN) aiming to score the first approval for the double-headed, protein degradation-inducing small molecule modality this year. As for most new modalities, first-movers largely sought to limit risk by going after established targets, but readouts over the last year suggest PROTACs’ biggest opportunities may lie in first-in-class biology...