What is difference between targeted protein degrader and protein-targeted degrader?

My question is: Does the position of the word "Targeted" change the meaning of these phrases: targeted protein degrader and protein-targeted degrader?

Also, please explain what is the meaning of the word "hits" in this sentence: targeted protein degrader hits the clinic.

Thank you.

Solution 1:

1) I think it does change the meaning of the sentence considerably. In your first case i.e. targeted protein degrader means that the protein degrader is targeting some random thing, but it doesn't specify what.

In your second sentence i.e. protein-targeted degrader, it specifies that the degrader is targeted towards proteins specifically and not anything else. Also, here the degrader is assumed to be separate from a protein degrader and if they are the same things, then both sentences convey the same thing. So, in short, it depends on where you want to use these words and what are their applications.

2) Hits the clinic in this context doesn't literally mean 'hitting the clinic' :P, which is pretty obvious from the way it has been used. Here, it means that when the protein degrader arrives at clinic or when it has reached the clinic for using it in various purposes or simply when it is available for use at the clinic, as pointed out by @Weather Vane.

Cheers!

Edit: After the comment from the OP, I think the whole first point becomes moot. If they are the same things, then there should be no difference to the overall structure of the sentence and thus, both of them seem appropriate to me. But if I were I you, I'd still use the protein-targeted degrader as it simply sounds better than the other usage. Also, it shows the specificity in great detail, which may be required.