Under the agreement, Heptares will make use of its GPCR discovery expertise including StaR technology with Astrazeneca’s biopharmaceutical discovery, development and commercial capabilities.
The tie up aims at specific GPCR targets associated to central nervous system/pain, cardiovascular/metabolic and inflammatory disorders from projects in AstraZeneca‘s small and large molecule portfolio, including projects from AstraZeneca’s biologics unit – MedImmune.
Further, both the companies will work together for initial screening and lead identification.
AstraZeneca will then select pre-clinical, small and large molecule candidates and will be solely responsible for preclinical and clinical development.
As per the terms of the pact, AstraZeneca is responsible to pay a sum of $6.25m cash payment fee to Heptares, in addition to committed research funding and also qualifies for future payments depending on delivery of agreed milestones
AstraZeneca has worldwide commercial rights to product candidates emerging from the collaboration.
Heptares will also receive royalties on sales of all products discovered through the joint research.
AstraZeneca Research and Development president Martin Mackay said their work will focus on a range of different diseases across their small and large molecule portfolio with the goal of discovering treatments for patients in areas of medical need.
Heptares CEO Malcolm Weir said they look forward to working closely with AstraZeneca colleagues to extend the range of targets and therapeutic areas to which they apply our their capabilities, and are excited by the R&D commitment of AstraZeneca to this pioneering GPCR alliance.