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Updated: Oct 22, 2026

Covalent Fragment Screening Using the Quantitative Irreversible Tethering Assay
Published on: February 28, 2025
In Pursuit of Enduring Inactivation: A Perspective on the Development and Study of Irreversible-Covalent Inhibitors
Matthias Gehringer1,2,3, David E Heppner4,5,6,7
1Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Institute for Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Medicine, Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen, Tübingen72076, Germany.
Abstract:
Molecules that form irreversible covalent bonds with their targets are a mainstay of drug discovery and chemical biology research. Their ability to permanently inactivate an enzyme target provides a mechanism with significant potential to modulate disease phenotypes. This perspective discusses the trajectory of the field of irreversible enzyme inhibitors with an outlook on emerging methods, warhead structures, and sentiments presently directing practices in the discovery and design of the next wave of covalent agents.
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