AstraZeneca and Heptares Therapeutics, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company and wholly owned subsidiary of Sosei Group Corporation, have formed a licensing agreement under which AstraZeneca will acquire exclusive global rights to develop, manufacture, and commercialize the adenosine A2A receptor antagonist, HTL-1071, a small-molecule immuno-oncology candidate, and potential additional A2A receptor-blocking compounds. AstraZeneca will explore the assets across a range of cancers, including in combination with its existing portfolio of immunotherapies.

Under the agreement, Heptares will grant AstraZeneca an exclusive license to research, develop, manufacture,and commercialize HTL-1071. The companies will also collaborate to discover further A2A receptor-blocking compounds for development in cancer immunotherapy. Heptares will receive an upfront payment of $10 million and is eligible to receive additional, significant near term milestone payments based on agreed preclinical and/or clinical events. Subject to successful completion of development and commercialization milestones, Heptares is also eligible to receive more than $500 million, as well as up to double-digit tiered royalties on net sales. The transaction is subject to customary clearances under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act.

Heptares is a clinical-stage company targeting G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), a family of 375 receptors linked to a wide range of human diseases. Heptares' proprietary structure-based drug design technology enables development of challenging, GPCRs.

Source: AstraZeneca