Advancing Novel Approaches in Kinase Interface Networks

ANA-KIN will train 12 doctoral researchers to redefine kinase drug discovery by pioneering strategies that move beyond the ATP site. Protein kinases are among the most validated drug targets, yet nearly all approved inhibitors still target the highly conserved ATP cleft, a 20-year-old paradigm that has seen remarkably little conceptual renewal. Dimerization and substrate interfaces, by contrast, are far less conserved and represent fundamentally different regulatory entry points. However, the field currently lacks the generalisable assays and cross-disciplinary integration needed to systematically exploit them. To address this, ANA-KIN establishes the first coordinated European framework dedicated to mapping and modulating kinase interfaces. It brings together leading expertise in chemical biology, structural biophysics, AI-guided design, PPI-focused discovery technologies and cellular mechanism across 12 academic laboratories and 10 academic and industrial partners. This integrated effort will produce ATP-locking chemical tools, modular interface-focused assays, high-resolution conformational maps and complementary bicyclic peptide/small-molecule discovery engines that collectively enable the systematic identification of interface-selective modulators. The training programme couples interdisciplinary co-supervision, intersectoral secondments and network-wide scientific schools with structured development in scientific, transferable, open-science and entrepreneurial skills. Robust governance (Supervision Oversight Board and Ombudsperson) ensures transparent supervision, while diversity and culture-of-care measures foster an inclusive and supportive environment. Through this coordinated research and training ecosystem, ANA-KIN will generate the tools, mechanistic foundations and interdisciplinary expertise required to unlock kinase interfaces as a new therapeutic frontier, while preparing a cohort capable of driving next-generation kinase drug discovery in Europe.