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§ Private Profile · Welwyn Garden City, United Kingdom
Biotech developing GPCR-targeted medicines using StaR® technology for neurological diseases, diabetes, and cancer.
Heptares Therapeutics, based in Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire, United Kingdom, develops novel medicines by targeting G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) using its proprietary StaR® technology for structure-based drug design. The company was acquired by Sosei Group in 2015 for up to $400 million and previously secured a €3 billion deal with Allergan for neurological and Alzheimer's disease drugs. Its pioneering StaR® technology, which stabilizes GPCRs for cryo-electron microscopy and X-ray crystallography, underpins its drug discovery efforts, attracting partnerships with pharmaceutical giants like Pfizer. Co-founder Richard Henderson was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 2017 for his work on cryo-electron microscopy, a technique central to Heptares' approach. Heptares Therapeutics was founded in 2007 by Richard Henderson, Chris Tate, Malcolm Weir, and Fiona Marshall.
Heptares Therapeutics has raised $21.0M across 1 funding round.
Heptares Therapeutics has raised $21.0M in total across 1 funding round.
Heptares Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biotechnology company specializing in the discovery and development of transformative medicines targeting G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), a large and important family of cell surface receptors involved in many diseases. Using its proprietary structure-based drug design platform, including the StaR® (Stabilized Receptor) technology, Heptares designs highly selective drugs with improved efficacy and safety profiles. The company serves pharmaceutical partners and ultimately patients by addressing diseases such as Alzheimer’s, schizophrenia, type 2 diabetes, cancer, and HIV. It has demonstrated strong growth momentum through strategic collaborations with major pharma companies like AstraZeneca, Pfizer, and Novartis, and its acquisition by Sosei Group has further accelerated its pipeline and technology development[1][2][3][5].
Founded in 2007 as a spin-out from the Medical Research Council Laboratory of Molecular Biology (MRC LMB) in Cambridge, Heptares was co-founded by structural biology leaders Richard Henderson and Chris Tate. The idea emerged from pioneering work on stabilizing GPCRs to enable detailed structural studies, which historically had been challenging due to the receptors’ instability. Early traction came from raising over £40 million from leading life science investors and securing collaborations with top pharmaceutical companies, validating the potential of their structure-guided drug discovery approach. The company’s evolution culminated in its acquisition by Japan’s Sosei Group, positioning it as a global biopharmaceutical hub focused on GPCR-targeted medicines[3][4].
Heptares rides the wave of increasing recognition that GPCRs are critical drug targets, representing about one-third of all marketed drugs but historically difficult to drug due to their structural complexity. Advances in structural biology and computational drug design have created a timely opportunity for Heptares’ technology to unlock previously “undruggable” GPCR targets. Market forces such as rising demand for precision medicines, aging populations with chronic diseases, and the pharmaceutical industry’s shift towards biologics and targeted therapies favor Heptares’ approach. By enabling more efficient drug discovery and development, Heptares influences the broader ecosystem by accelerating innovation in GPCR pharmacology and expanding therapeutic options[1][3][4][6].
Looking ahead, Heptares is poised to advance its clinical pipeline and expand its platform capabilities, including novel approaches like targeted protein degradation of GPCRs through collaborations such as with Captor Therapeutics. Trends shaping its journey include the growing integration of AI in drug design, increasing demand for treatments in neurology and immunology, and continued pharma interest in GPCRs. As Heptares leverages its deep structural insights and strong partnerships, its influence is likely to grow, potentially transforming treatment paradigms for complex diseases. The company’s trajectory exemplifies how cutting-edge structural biology can translate into impactful medicines, reinforcing its position as a leader in GPCR-targeted drug discovery[6].
In sum, Heptares Therapeutics stands out as a pioneering biotech company that combines deep scientific expertise with innovative technology platforms to address critical unmet medical needs through GPCR-targeted drug discovery.
Heptares Therapeutics has raised $21.0M in total across 1 funding round.
Heptares Therapeutics's investors include Clarus Ventures, Stanley Family Foundation, ALSA Ventures, Takeda Ventures.
Heptares Therapeutics has raised $21.0M across 1 funding round. Most recently, it raised $21.0M Series B in June 2013.
| Date | Round | Lead Investors | Other Investors | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 1, 2013 | $21M Series B | Clarus Ventures, Stanley Family Foundation | ALSA Ventures, Takeda Ventures | Announced |