Compugen links with DiscoveRx on novel peptide ligands for GPCR drug targets

Israel’s Compugen (Nasdaq: CGEN) and USA-based DiscoveRx have entered into a partnership for the purpose of commercializing novel Compugen designed peptides to be matched with specific G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) targets utilizing DiscoveRx GPCR related technologies. The new agreement follows a successful pilot program between the two companies.

Under the terms of the collaboration, DiscoveRx will utilize its PathHunter Platform as well as its extensive suite of additional proprietary cell based GPCR assays and related technologies to match individual peptides in the Compugen GPCR targeted peptide library with specific GPCR drug targets of interest to DiscoveRx’ pharmaceutical company clients and others. Following these activities, peptides of interest will be available for licensing from Compugen under milestone and royalty bearing agreements. The parties have agreed to a revenue sharing financial model providing different pre-arranged sharing percentages for each category of revenue anticipated by the collaboration.

The peptides in Compugen’s GPCR targeted library were predicted through the use of Compugen’s GPCR Peptide Ligand Discovery Platform. During the initial validation activities for this platform, three predicted peptides, CGEN-856, CGEN-855 and CGEN-25009, were subsequently shown to have therapeutic potential in disease animal models of cardiovascular, fibrotic and inflammatory conditions. In addition, Compugen has recently announced that the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation will fund further studies to evaluate the potential of CGEN-25009 for treating lung fibrosis.

Promising pilot results