The Cancer Letter

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Drugs & Targets

AstraZeneca and Heptares Therapeutics enter licensing agreement

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AstraZeneca and Heptares Therapeutics entered into a licensing agreement under which AstraZeneca will acquire exclusive global rights to develop, manufacture and commercialize the adenosine A2A receptor antagonist HTL-1071, a small molecule immuno-oncology candidate.

AstraZeneca will focus on exploring HTL-1071 and any additional compounds across a range of cancers, including in combination with its existing portfolio of immunotherapies.

The companies will also collaborate to discover further A2A receptor-blocking compounds for development in cancer immunotherapy.

Heptares will receive an upfront payment of $10 million and is eligible to receive additional milestone payments based on agreed pre-clinical and clinical events. Subject to successful completion of development and commercialization milestones, Heptares is also eligible to receive more than $500 million as well as royalty payments.

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