Takeda and Heptares Therapeutics to collaborate on CNS disorder research

Takeda is to ally with Heptares Therapeutics on a new drug discovery collaboration that will focus on central nervous system (CNS) disorders.

The alliance will utilise Heptares' StaR stabilised receptor technology to create the first ever thermally stabilised forms of a specific G-protein coupled receptor (GPCR) that plays a key role in the pathology of CNS conditions.

According to Takeda, this GPCR has never been removed from cell membranes in a stable state before, meaning that little is known about its structure despite its ample potential in drug development.

Under the terms of the deal, Takeda will offer Heptares an upfront payment, milestone fees and an investment in an equity stake, in exchange for global commercial rights to new drugs created through the alliance.

Shigenori Ohkawa, chief scientific officer at Takeda, said: "The Heptares StaR technology is a powerful new capability for discovering GPCR-targeted drugs and we look forward to applying it to a specific GPCR target of interest to Takeda in the area of neuroscience."

This comes after Takeda's oncology subsidiary Millennium signed a new collaborative agreement with Sunesis Pharmaceuticals last week in the field of cancer research.