Regeneron, AstraZeneca Collaborate on Obesity

Regeneron Pharmaceuticals and AstraZeneca have entered into a collaboration to research, develop and commercialize small molecule compounds directed against the GPR75 gene for treating obesity and related co-morbidities. The pact builds on the recent discovery from the Regeneron Genetics Center involving rare genetic mutations in the GPR75 gene associated with protection against obesity.
 

The new target was found by sequencing nearly 650,000 people and identifying individuals with rare protective mutations, according to a research article published in Science. Individuals with at least one inactive copy of the GPR75 gene had lower body mass index and, on average, tended to weigh about 12 pounds less and faced a 54% lower obesity risk than those without the mutation, Regeneron says, adding that strong associations were also seen with improvements in diabetes parameters, including glucose lowering.