Discovery of Potential First-in-Class Dual Ligand-Directed Degrader and Antagonist of the Androgen Receptor: BMS-986365

Androgen receptor (AR) signaling is central to the progression of prostate cancer, including castration-resistant disease. Targeted protein degradation, particularly through heterobifunctional compounds, represents a significant advancement in eliminating disease-causing proteins beyond traditional inhibition. Here, we describe the medicinal chemistry discovery of BMS-986365, a novel dual-function AR degrader and an antagonist. BMS-986365 selectively and efficiently degrades both wild-type and clinically relevant mutant ARs while also antagonizing residual AR activity. This dual mechanism results in the robust inhibition of AR-driven pathways and prostate cancer cell growth. The development of BMS-986365 highlights the potential of targeted protein degradation strategies to overcome resistance and improve therapeutic outcomes in prostate cancer.