(Alliance News) - Anglo-Swedish pharmaceutical firm AstraZeneca PLC on Tuesday announced a collaboration agreement with New York-based biotechnology firm Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc to research and develop small molecule compounds targeting GPR75 to treat obesity.
G Protein-Coupled Receptor 75 is a protein coding gene, which activates guanine-nucleotide binding proteins upon the binding of a ligand.
Recent research has found that individuals with at least one inactive copy of the GPR75 gene had a lower body mass index, and on average tends to weigh around 12 pounds less and face a 54% lower risk of obesity than those without the mutation.
Under the agreement, both companies will evenly split the research and development costs, as well as share equally in any future potential profits.
"We are pleased to announce this important collaboration with Regeneron to identify small molecule modulators against GPR75, a newly identified target with genetic validation in metabolic disorders. Obesity and insulin resistance remain key drivers in the development of type 2 diabetes and areas of significant unmet medical need," said Mene Pangalos, executive vice president of BioPharmaceuticals at AstraZeneca.
Shares in AstraZeneca were up 0.6% at 8,342.98 pence on Tuesday afternoon in London. Regeneron's shares closed 1.5% lower at USD577.78 on Monday in New York and were down 0.1% in pre-market trade on Tuesday.
By Dayo Laniyan; dayolaniyan@alliancenews.com
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