UPDATE: Heptares licenses its HTL-1071 to AstraZeneca

UK-based biotech company Heptares Therapeutics, a subsidiary of Japan’s Sosei Group (TYO: 4565), has entered into a licensing agreement with AstraZeneca (LSE: AZN) under which AstraZeneca will acquire exclusive global rights to develop, manufacture and commercialize the adenosine A2A receptor antagonist HTL-1071.

AstraZeneca will focus on exploring the candidate and any additional compounds across a range of cancers, including as a combination therapy with its existing immunotherapy compound.

By stimulating A2A receptors, adenosine stops T-cells within the immune system from proliferating and reduces their ability to destroy cancer cells. Blocking A2A receptors can promote the anti-cancer response of T-cells in the tumor microenvironment.