AstraZeneca, Heptares Team to Develop Cancer Treatments

AstraZeneca is planning to test at least one A2A receptor-blocking compound across a range of cancers, including in combination with the company’s existing immunotherapy portfolio, under a new collaboration with Heptares Therapeutics.

Heptares has granted AZ an exclusive license to research, develop, manufacture and market HTL-1071, an adenosine A2A receptor antagonist, as well as potential additional A2A receptor-blocking compounds.

Under the agreement, Heptares will receive an upfront payment of $10 million and can receive additional milestone payments of more than $500 million based on agreed preclinical and clinical events. Heptares is also eligible for up to double-digit tiered royalties on net sales, the firms said. — Jonathon Shacat