Hallberg’s research interests encompass a range of protein targets of pharmaceutical relevance, including proteases and G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs). One of the primary themes has been to identify novel and selective low molecular weight ligands for these targets. Compounds are optimized using computer-aided techniques and are preferentially [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11301285/ synthesized using high-speed chemistry] and [https://pubs.acs.org/doi/full/10.1021/ja011019k robust palladium-catalyzed C-C bond forming reactions] partly [https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/ar010074v developed in his laboratory]. Major indications that have been addressed are [https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/med.20082 malaria] and [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16509598/ viral infections caused by HIV] and [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12757723/ HCV (Hepatitis C Virus)]. More recently, the main focus of the Drug Discovery program was to identify novel ligands that interfere with protein targets in the renin/angiotensin system (RAS). The first reported drug-like selective and potent angiotensin II, type II receptor (AT2R) agonist (C21) was [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28609561/ discovered by Hallberg’s group]. Compound C21, (buloxibutid) now owned by Vicore Pharma AB (founded by AH et al.) has been [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36180112/ extensively studied] and is currently undergoing [https://europepmc.org/article/med/34723163 clinical evaluations (Phase II)] with first indication idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.
Hallberg has founded biotech companies, has > 40 patents and has authored >290 articles published in international scientific journals (number of citations >10 000).[https://www.katalog.uu.se/profile/?id=XX1596] Hallberg has been the main supervisor for 29 doctoral students up to the doctoral degree. Member of several foundations, pharmaceutical company and university boards.