AstraZeneca licenses novel agent for treatment of cardiometabolic conditions, obesity

Jingye Zhou, Chief Executive Officer of Eccogene, said, “GLP-1RA represents a very important class of drugs for multiple cardiometabolic diseases; currently there is no approved orally available small molecule GLP-1RA. Small molecule GLP-1RA, such as ECC5004, could potentially offer more dosing convenience and ease of use compared to existing GLP-1RA therapies. AstraZeneca has impressive global capabilities in clinical development and commercialisation. This important collaboration between Eccogene and AstraZeneca will accelerate the development of ECC5004, a once daily, low dose, orally available small molecule GLP-1RA to benefit the millions of patients worldwide living with these diseases.”

GLP-1RAs are an important treatment option for people living with metabolic diseases such as diabetes and obesity. They have been shown to be effective at decreasing haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), promoting weight loss and reducing the risk of cardiovascular events by mimicking the hormone GLP-1.1

Under the terms of the agreement, Eccogene will receive an initial upfront payment of $185m. In addition, Eccogene will also receive up to an additional $1.825bn in future clinical, regulatory, and commercial milestones and tiered royalties on product net sales.

Under the agreement AstraZeneca is granted exclusive global rights for the development and commercialisation of Eccogene’s ECC5004 small molecule GLP-1RA for any indication in all territories except China, where Eccogene has the right to co-develop and co-commercialise in China alongside AstraZeneca.