Anchor Therapeutics collaborates with OMJPI to develop GPCR targeted therapeutic compounds

Anchor Therapeutics today announced that it has entered into a collaboration and license agreement with Ortho-McNeil-Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (OMJPI) with the goal of developing G protein coupled receptor (GPCR)-targeted therapeutic compounds utilizing Anchor's proprietary pepducin technology.

“We are excited about enhancing our pepducin drug development platform and pipeline of GPCR-targeted opportunities and look forward to working with OMJPI to discover new treatment options for patients”

Under the agreement, Anchor and OMJPI will work jointly to discover and optimize preclinical development candidates against GPCR targets in oncology and metabolic disorders, including Anchor's program targeting gpr39, a GPCR involved in metabolic diseases. OMJPI will assume responsibility for development and commercialization. Anchor will receive an upfront payment and research support and could be eligible for development and regulatory milestone payments up to $480 million.

"We are excited about enhancing our pepducin drug development platform and pipeline of GPCR-targeted opportunities and look forward to working with OMJPI to discover new treatment options for patients," said Frederick Jones, M.D., President and CEO of Anchor.