SAN FRANCISCO and BOSTON, Dec. 16, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- SandboxAQ and MapLight Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: MPLT) announced today that the companies have entered into a strategic collaboration to discover and develop potential first-in-class therapies targeting a novel G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) for the treatment of central nervous system (CNS) disorders. Under the terms of the agreement, SandboxAQ received an upfront payment and will be eligible to receive additional preclinical, development, reg ...

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, which includes preclinical, development, regulatory, and commercial milestones [2] Research Collaboration - The collaboration will involve joint preclinical research activities, with MapLight holding exclusive rights for clinical development and commercialization of the compounds [2] - SandboxAQ will utilize large-scale AI models and high-fidelity molecular simulations to explore receptor structure-functional activity and optimize drug properties [3][4] Technological Advancements - The AQBioSim platform from SandboxAQ allows for precise simulation and prediction of molecular interactions with GPCRs, enhancing the exploration of chemical space and accelerating drug candidate optimization [4] Company Backgrounds - SandboxAQ is a B2B company focused on AI and quantum techniques, emerging from Alphabet Inc. and backed by leading investors [5] - MapLight Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company dedicated to addressing CNS disorders through circuit-specific pharmacotherapies [6]