Collaboration aims to develop better, safer GPCR-targeting drugs that take into account GPCR heteromeric complexes.

Takeda Pharmaceutical’s U.K.-based Takeda Cambridge subsidiary is teaming up with Australian firm Dimerix for a drug discovery program focused on GPCR targets of interest to Takeda. The collaboration will exploit Dimerix’ GPCR-HIT (G protein coupled receptor heteromer identification technology) platform.

This cell-based assay technology identifies molecules acting through pairs of different GPCRs, known as GPCR heterodimers. Dimerix claims that its technology is the only ligand-dependent cell-based assay system allowing rapid identification, profiling, and screening of GPCR heteromers. 

The GPCR-HIT platform encompasses a library of novel GPCR heteromer targets along with screening/profiling capabilities and expertise in biased intracellular signaling mediated through GPCR heteromers. The company maintains that the technology has applications at various stages of the drug development process, including: identification of GPCR heteromers and discrete signaling pathways activated through them, profiling drug candidates for potential toxicity or other side effects believed to act through monomeric GPCRs, and screening compound libraries against a wide range of published and unpublished GPCR heteromers.

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