Heptares Therapeutics, the leading GPCR structure-guided drug discovery and development company, has received multiple key patents in the United States relating to its GPCR-focused drug discovery platform. The grant of these patents in the US significantly strengthens the global patent estate covering Heptares’ technologies and products in the major pharmaceutical markets.

The suite of patents recently granted by the US Patent Office covers Heptares technology platform for the creation of thermostabilised G protein-coupled receptors (StaR proteins) and their use for drug screening and structure-based drug design. These include: US 8785135, which is also granted in Europe, China, Japan and Australia; US 8748182 and US 8790933. These patents, along with others that are granted or pending, provide breadth and depth to the protection of Heptares’ technology platform in all major territories.

Malcolm Weir, CEO of Heptares, said: “The grant of these patents in the key territory of the United States is a landmark achievement for Heptares. Our expanding global patent estate, on both technology and products from our discovery pipeline reinforces the company’s global leadership position in the creation of new medicines targeting GPCRs.”