Core Insights - SandboxAQ and MapLight Therapeutics have entered a strategic collaboration to develop therapies targeting a novel G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) for central nervous system (CNS) disorders [1][2] Financial Terms - SandboxAQ received an upfront payment and is eligible for additional milestone payments totaling up to $200 million, covering preclinical, development, regulatory, and commercial stages [2] Research Collaboration - The collaboration involves joint preclinical research, with MapLight holding exclusive rights for clinical development and commercialization of the compounds [2] - SandboxAQ will utilize its AI platform to enhance the discovery and development of therapies, focusing on receptor structure-functional activity and ligand-receptor interactions [3][4] Technological Advancements - SandboxAQ's AQBioSim platform allows for precise simulation and prediction of molecular interactions with GPCRs, facilitating a systematic exploration of chemical space [4] - The collaboration aims to accelerate the generation and optimization of potential drug candidates through rapid Design-Make-Test-Analyze (DMTA) cycles [3][4] Company Backgrounds - SandboxAQ is a B2B company that integrates AI and quantum techniques, emerging from Alphabet Inc. and focusing on various sectors including life sciences [5] - MapLight Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company dedicated to addressing CNS disorders through circuit-specific pharmacotherapies, leveraging expertise in psychiatry and neuroscience [6]
SandboxAQ and MapLight Therapeutics Announce Strategic Collaboration to Discover and Develop Novel CNS Therapies