AstraZeneca joins forces with Scorpion on cancer research

AstraZeneca (LSE: AZN) has signed a collaboration agreement with Boston, USA-based next-generation oncology company Scorpion Therapeutics to discover, develop and commercialize precision medicines against previously hard-to-target cancer proteins, with the potential to transform oncology treatment, the UK pharma major announced today.

The new collaboration focuses on a class of proteins called transcription factors, which control gene expression and can regulate important cellular processes including cell growth and survival. Many transcription factors have long been identified as important targets for new cancer treatments and as drivers of disease, but have previously been considered 'undruggable’ using conventional drug discovery approaches.

Under the terms of the collaboration agreement, Scorpion will lead discovery and certain pre-clinical activities. AstraZeneca has the exclusive option to license worldwide rights for up to three drug candidates. AstraZeneca would be responsible for development and commercialization activities worldwide following opt-in, while Scorpion would retain the option to co-develop and co-promote up to two of these programs in the USA under certain conditions, including if AstraZeneca exercises three license options.