Cholesgen (Shanghai) has announced a three-year partnership with AstraZeneca to advance research and development (R&D) in hypercholesterolemia and related metabolic diseases.
The companies will validate genetic drug targets and advance therapeutic molecules into clinical development.
By leveraging their complementary strengths, they will focus on selected targets from the early stage portfolios of Cholesgen.
AstraZeneca BioPharmaceuticals R&D executive vice-president Mene Pangalos stated: “This is an important collaboration for AstraZeneca, led by deep scientific expertise and a shared ambition to address the key drivers that contribute to hypercholesterolemia and related metabolic diseases.
“We look forward to working together to accelerate target discovery and preclinical research in this area of high unmet need.”
Cholesgen will be eligible for an initial payment and a pre-defined licence package for each drug candidate qualified and nominated by AstraZeneca to advance into clinical development.
Scientists from both Cholesgen and AstraZeneca will work together to validate targets and generate promising results for potential drug candidates, under a joint research committee governance.
AstraZeneca will have a priority option to advance these into clinical development.
SAB Cholesgen chair Dr Bao-Liang Song stated: “As a young biotech with a deep understanding of target biology and a focused pipeline, Cholesgen is thrilled to start this strategic collaboration with AstraZeneca and hopes to accelerate the delivery of innovative medicines for patients with hypercholesterolemia or related metabolic diseases.”
Cholesgen is also engaged in target identification, as well as first-in-class drug discovery in the field of cholesterol-related diseases, including obesity, atherosclerosis, nonalcoholic steatohepatitis and hyperlipidemia.
Early R&D projects coverage on Pharmaceutical Technology is supported by Mimotopes.
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