Boehringer in research collaboration with Domain Therapeutics
German pharmaceutical company Boehringer Ingelheim has signed a research collaboration and licence agreement with French and Canadian biopharmaceutical business Domain Therapeutics.
The drug discovery collaboration, announced today, November 4, centres on orphan G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) in the central nervous system (CNS) disease area.
Orphan receptors are proteins with a similar structure to other identified receptors.
Through the agreement, Domain Therapeutics’ expertise in discovering GPCR targeting drugs in CNS, oncology, and immuno-oncology will be paired with Boehringer’s speciality in discovering and clinically developing therapeutics of multiple indications.
Pascal Neuville, CEO of Domain Therapeutics, said: “We believe that our approach and technologies will allow for the identification of new drug candidates against these challenging targets, and, coupled with Boehringer’s strength and expertise, their rapid advancement into the clinic.”
Domain Therapeutics’ proprietary platforms, DTect-All and bioSens-All, enable the characterisation of small molecule GPCR binders for the screening and characterisation of potential lead compounds.
Through the collaboration, these platforms will be used to identify novel treatment approaches for neuropsychiatric diseases.
The field of neuropsychiatry covers mental disorders which are attributable to CNS diseases, such as schizophrenia, depression, and eating disorders.
Domain Therapeutics’ network of GPCR experts will contribute to the collaboration by offering their insights into the discovery, according to the biopharmaceutical company.
In return, Boehringer will make an upfront payment, in addition to development and commercial milestone payments.
Domain Therapeutics will also receive royalty payments upon the sale of any treatments.
Financial aspects of the deal remain confidential.
Neuville said: “With its focus on emerging science and breakthrough medicines, we are enthusiastic to be working with Boehringer Ingelheim.”
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