AstraZeneca signs $500m immuno-oncology deal with Heptares

6th Aug 2015 09:27

(ShareCast News) - Pharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca has signed a $500m deal to strengthen its position in the hot area of immuno-oncology with Japanese giant Sosei.The agreement with Sosei's subsidiary Heptares gives Astrazeneca the licence to acquire exclusive global rights to develop, manufacture and commercialise a small molecule immuno-oncology candidate, HTL-1071, and potential additional A2A receptor-blocking compounds.AstraZeneca said it would pay an initial $10m for exclusive global rights to HTL-1071, a so-called adenosine A2A receptor antagonist, and could pay more than $500m if the product is a commercial success.The Anglo-Swedish company will also focus on exploring HTL-1071 and any additional compounds across a range of cancers, including in combination with its existing portfolio of immunotherapies.The A2A-focused compounds look to the mechanism by which cancer tumour cells evade the immune system, including through the production of a natural molecule called adenosine.By stimulating A2A receptors, adenosine stops T-cells within the immune system from proliferating and reduces their ability to destroy cancer cells. Blocking A2Areceptors can therefore promote the anti-cancer response of T-cells within in the tumour microenvironment.AstraZeneca's head of oncology Susan Galbraith explained that the collaboration gave both companies the chance "to develop novel treatments with the potential to transform the lives of patients".Malcolm Weir, Chief Executive Officer of Heptares, explained that the company was targeting G-protein-coupled receptors that play a key role in cancer biology through the identification of both antibody and small molecule therapeutics."We are delighted to be entering this expanding field by partnering with AstraZeneca, an innovative leader in the field of cancer immunotherapy. This agreement further builds on our successful existing research collaboration," he added.