AstraZeneca, Regeneron to Develop Drug Candidates to Treat Obesity

AstraZeneca recently entered into a collaboration with Regeneron to research, develop, and commercialize small molecule drug candidates to treat obesity and related co-morbidities. 

Specifically, the compounds are directed against the GPR75 target, the gene associated with protection against obesity. 

Individuals with at least one inactive copy of the gene had lower body mass index and tended to weigh nearly 12 pounds less, facing a 54 percent lower risk of obesity than those without the mutation, according to data published in Science. 

Researchers also found notable associations with improvements in diabetes parameters, including glucose lowering. 

“We are pleased to announce this important collaboration with Regeneron to identify small molecule modulators against GPR75, a newly identified target with genetic validation in metabolic disorders. Obesity and insulin resistance remain key drivers in the development of type-2 diabetes and areas of significant unmet medical need,” Mene Pangalos, executive vice president of biopharmaceuticals research and development at AstraZeneca, said in the announcement. 

Obesity and insulin resistance are main drivers in the development of type 2 diabetes and often lead to cardiorenal complications and liver disease, an AstraZeneca spokesperson explained. 

At the beginning of the month, Regeneron Genetics Center discovered GPR75 by sequencing nearly 650,000 people and identifying individuals with rare protective mutations.

As part of the research that led to the finding, Regeneron scientists analyzed deidentified genetic and associated health data from 645,000 volunteers from the US, UK, and Mexico.

In the study, mice genetically engineered using Regeneron’s VelociGene technology lacked copies of the GPR75 gene and gained 44 percent less weight than mice without the mutation when both groups were fed a high-fat diet. 

Regeneron scientists are pursuing various therapeutic approaches to target GPR75, including through antibodies, small molecules, and gene silencing.

The company is also developing therapeutics similar to GPR75 using its VelocImmune technologies and novel technologies from collaborators, including Alnylam Pharmaceuticals. 

“The next era of drug development is being fuelled by important genetic findings that direct drug developers on how to deploy our toolkit of biologics, small molecules and gene editing technologies,” George D. Yancopoulos, MD, PhD, president and chief executive officer of Regeneron, said in the recent announcement. 

“As experts on genetics and human biology, Regeneron is excited to join forces with the chemistry and small molecule leaders at AstraZeneca, as we seek to develop new medicines tackling the harmful and costly obesity epidemic,” Yancopoulos concluded.