Argenta Discovery and Zafgen have agreed to collaborate in an obesity drug discovery programme.
Under the terms of the agreement, scientists from the two companies will exploit Argenta's expertise in computer-aided drug design, medicinal chemistry, assay development, in vitro screening, drug metabolism and pharmacokinetics, to accelerate development candidate nomination for one of Zafgen's therapeutics programmes for obesity.
Dr Thomas Hughes, PhD, president and chief executive officer of Zafgen said: 'Zafgen's approach of discovering and developing anti-obesity agents that target adipose vasculature to shrink fat cells, helping the body sustain a lean, healthy state, offers the possibility of a real breakthrough in this area, where there is considerable unmet medical need.'
