AstraZeneca and Regeneron Team Up to Create Small-Molecule Drugs for Obesity

AstraZeneca has partnered with Regeneron to develop small-molecule drugs for the treatment of obesity.

The drugmakers said they will focus on therapies targeting the GPR75 gene, as the inactivated form of the gene has been linked to a lower body mass index and decreased glucose levels.

The two companies have agreed to split the development costs as well as profits, but they did not disclose other financial details of the agreement.

Obesity rates have more than tripled worldwide since 1975, with an estimated 650 million adults suffering from the condition.