Dr. LaBarbera will begin with an introduction to the CU Anschutz Center for Drug Discovery, delineating its mission and the infrastructure dedicated to advancing academic drug discovery and development, encompassing small molecules, biologics, and cell therapies. The second part of the presentation will focus on small molecule drug development, specifically the discovery and development of inhibitors targeting Chromodomain Helicase DNA Binding Protein 1 Like (CHD1L). This protein target is a chromatin remodeling enzyme and contemporary oncogene associated with tumor progression, metastasis, multidrug resistance, and evasion of the immune response across various cancers. This segment will elucidate the mechanism of action and pharmacology of lead CHD1L inhibitor (CHD1Li) drugs, including the mode of CHD1L inhibition and the impact on hindering CHD1L-mediated DNA damage response/repair. Additionally, the presentation will discuss CHD1Li induce poly(ADP ribose) or PAR-mediated programmed cell death, known as PARthanatos, and will highlight the synergistic effects of CHD1Li when used alongside chemotherapy and targeted therapies commonly employed in cancer treatments.