Autoimmune diseases affect millions globally, with current treatments causing severe systemic side effects due to non-specific targeting.
Antibody-Drug Conjugates (ADCs) targeting RORγt pathway offer precision medicine - delivering therapeutic agents specifically to disease-causing cells while minimizing systemic toxicity.
Figure 1: ADC Molecular Structure - Antibody, Linker, and Cytotoxic Payload
Develop novel ADC technology targeting RORγt pathway for treating autoimmune diseases with enhanced efficacy and reduced side effects.
RORγt (Retinoic acid receptor-related Orphan Receptor gamma t) is a master transcription factor essential for Th17 cell differentiation. Dysregulation leads to excessive Th17 activity, driving inflammation in autoimmune conditions including rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, and inflammatory bowel disease.
Figure 2: Th17 Cell with RORγt Nuclear Receptor
Figure 3: Disease Pathway and Therapeutic Intervention
ADC targeting RORγt will selectively bind to disease-causing Th17 cells, delivering therapeutic payload with high specificity.
Computational drug design combining molecular docking, binding affinity analysis, and 3D structure modeling
Figure 4: ADC Mechanism of Action - 4 Steps
Computational docking simulated ADC-RORγt interactions using AutoDock Vina, predicting binding modes and calculating free energy.
Stable ADC-RORγt complex formation confirmed through computational modeling
Figure 5: Molecular Docking - ADC-RORγt Binding Visualization
Figure 6: ADC vs Traditional Therapy Comparison
Interactive 3D molecular model visualizes ADC-RORγt binding mechanism for scientific education.
Research successfully demonstrates feasibility of developing RORγt-targeted ADCs for precision treatment of autoimmune diseases.
Improved quality of life for autoimmune disease patients through precision medicine with fewer side effects
2-3 years preclinical, 5-7 years clinical development
Institution: King Abdullah International Medical Research Center (KAIMRC)
Competition: IBDAA 2026 - Poster #228010