Sosei Group Corporation, a Japanese biopharmaceutical company with operations in Japan and the UK, has acquired Heptares Therapeutics Limited, a clinical-stage private UK-based biotechnology company focused on creating novel medicines targeting G protein-coupled receptors, for $400 million.

Sosei has been exploring strategic opportunities that can both build on and go beyond the secured revenue stream in milestones and royalties derived from the two respiratory products (Ultibro Breezhalerand Seebri® Breezhaler) marketed by its partner, Novartis.

Heptares was founded in 2007 based on the work of its founding scientists, Richard Henderson and Christopher Tate at the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology (Cambridge, UK), with investment from MVM Life Science Partners and led by co-founders Malcolm Weir and Fiona Marshall. From these origins, and with additional venture funding from MVM, Clarus Ventures, Novartis Venture Fund, Takeda Ventures, and the Stanley Family Foundation, Heptares has moved on to develop its StaR technology platform, a structure-based drug design platform.

Source: Soesi Group