20 April 2018 - - New preclinical data for AZD4635, an A2A receptor antagonist discovered by Tokyo, Japan-based GPCR medicine design and development specialist Sosei Group (TOKYO Mothers Index: 4565) wholly-owned subsidiary Heptares Therapeutics, was presented by AstraZeneca in a poster at the American Association of Cancer Research annual meeting, the company said.
AZD4635 is a potent and selective, orally available, small molecule adenosine A2A receptor antagonist. AstraZeneca licensed exclusive global rights to the molecule in 2015.
High levels of adenosine are found in tumour microenvironments and benefit the progression of cancer. By activating the adenosine A2A receptor, increased adenosine levels impair T-cell function and result in suppression of the host immune response.
AZD4635 specifically blocks adenosine signalling via the A2A receptor signalling resulting in increased immune responsiveness and potential to destroy cancer cells and decrease tumour burden, A2A receptor antagonism can therefore promote the anti-cancer response of T-cells within the tumour microenvironment, offering a novel mechanism of action as a mono- or combination therapy.
AZD4635 is currently in a Phase 1 clinical trial as a single agent and in combination with AstraZeneca's anti-PD-L1 antibody Imfinzi (durvalumab) in patients with solid malignancies.
Sosei is focused on the design and development of new medicines originating from its proprietary GPCR-targeted StaR technology and structure-based drug design platform capabilities.
The company, headquartered in Japan with R and D facilities in the UK, is advancing a broad and deep pipeline of partnered and wholly owned product candidates in multiple therapeutic areas, including CNS, cancer, metabolic diseases and other rare/specialty indications.