What is Going on with REGN?
Regeneron Pharmaceuticals (REGN) has entered into a collaboration with AstraZeneca (AZN) in order to research, develop, and commercialize a possible new way to target obesity and its related co-morbidities. This collaboration comes after the recent discovery rare genetic mutations in the GPR75 gene that are associated with protection against obesity. In sequencing 650,000 people, individuals with at least one inactive copy of the GPR75 gene has on average, lower BMI, tended to weigh around 12 pounds less, and faced a 54% lower risk of obesity than those without this mutation. The two companies have agreed to split the research, development costs, and share equally.
What This Means for REGN?
"The next era of medicine is being fueled by important genetics findings that direct drug developers on how to deploy our toolkit of biologics, small molecules and gene editing technologies in order to safely help patients in need," said George D. Yancopoulos, M.D., Ph.D., President and Chief Scientific Officer of Regeneron. "As experts on genetics and human biology, Regeneron is excited to join forces with the chemistry and small molecule leaders at AstraZeneca, as we seek to develop new medicines tackling the harmful and costly obesity epidemic."
Mene Pangalos, Executive Vice President, BioPharmaceuticals R&D at AstraZeneca, states that, “We are pleased to announce this important collaboration with Regeneron to identify small molecule modulators against GPR75, a newly identified target with genetic validation in metabolic disorders. Obesity and insulin resistance remain key drivers in the development of type 2 diabetes and areas of significant unmet medical need.”
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Regeneron Pharmaceuticals discovers, develops, and commercializes products that fight eye disease, cardiovascular disease, cancer, and inflammation. The company has several marketed products including: Eylea, approved for wet age-related macular degeneration and other eye diseases; Praluent for LDL cholesterol lowering; Dupixent in atopic dermatitis, asthma, and nasal polyposis; Libtayo in cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma; and Kevzara in rheumatoid arthritis. Regeneron is also developing monoclonal antibodies with Sanofi in immunology and cancer, and bispecific antibodies and antibody cocktails with other collaborators and independently.
