Heptares and Pfizer to focus on GPCR targets

Heptares Therapeutics has entered into a strategic drug discovery collaboration with Pfizer to research and develop potential new medicines directed at up to 10 G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) targets across multiple therapeutic areas.

Heptares will use its proprietary GPCR structure-guided platform to help deliver stabilised GPCRs (StaR proteins), high-resolution crystal structures and other technologies to support the discovery of potential novel agents directed to the GPCR targets selected by Pfizer. Pfizer will be responsible for developing and commercialising any potential therapeutic agents for each target and will have exclusive global rights to any potential resulting agents.

Heptares will receive an initial payment on signing the agreement in return for delivering certain StaR proteins and structures for targets selected by Pfizer that it has already generated. The company is also eligible to receive potential research, development, regulatory and commercial milestone payments of up to USD189 million per target. In addition, Heptares is eligible to receive potential tiered royalties on the net sales of any products that are commercialised by Pfizer.

Collaboration will help Pfizer more quickly screen GPCR programmes

Commenting on the agreement, Malcolm Weir, Chief Executive Officer of Heptares, said: “This strategic collaboration with Pfizer, spanning as it does many targets and indications, is another significant achievement for Heptares and recognises the potential clinical benefit that may be realisable through the combination of our continuing leadership in GPCR structure-based design technology and Pfizer’s global therapeutic drug discovery and development capabilities.  We are delighted to be embarking on this new collaboration and look forward to an exciting and productive relationship.”

“Pfizer looks forward to this collaboration with Heptares to help us more quickly screen and identify lead GPCR programmes across multiple therapeutic areas within our preclinical portfolio and, ultimately, help us increase the speed at which we bring potential new therapies to patients,” said Rod MacKenzie, senior vice president, PharmaTherapeutics Research & Development at Pfizer.