C4X Discovery receives $13 million milestone payment from AstraZeneca
News provided byC4X Discovery Holdings Ltd · 2 min read
On September 4, 2026, C4X Discovery Holdings Ltd. announced that it will receive a $13 million milestone payment from AstraZeneca, following the initiation of clinical trials for an oral NRF2 activator programme. This marks a significant milestone in the ongoing collaboration between the two companies, which was first announced in November 2022.
Under the licensing agreement, C4X Discovery is eligible to receive up to $400 million in milestones, including preclinical, clinical development, and commercial milestones. The company is also set to receive tiered mid-single-digit royalties on future sales of the programme.
AZD4916, an oral NRF2 activator from the licensed programme, is currently in Phase I clinical trials involving healthy volunteers. The programme is being developed for the treatment of inflammatory and respiratory diseases, representing a significant step towards evaluating the therapeutic potential of potent and selective NRF2 activators in these conditions.
Nick Ray, Chief Scientific Officer at C4X Discovery, expressed delight at the progress of the NRF2 activator programme. "We are thrilled to see the programme entering the clinic," Ray stated. "This achievement is a testament to the hard work of the AstraZeneca team and brings us closer to assessing the potential of NRF2 activators in treating inflammatory diseases."
Emma Blaney, CEO of C4X Discovery, added, "This milestone further confirms the C4XD team’s capability in delivering high-quality molecules for challenging targets. We are also making significant progress in our α4β7 and PAD4 programmes and will continue to explore potential collaborations for the remainder of 2026."
C4X Discovery's pipeline includes several promising small-molecule programmes, including a best-in-class oral α4β7 programme and a first-in-class PAD4 programme. The company aims to advance these programmes to the candidate stage before seeking out-licensing or collaboration opportunities.
"Thank you to our staff and investors for their continued support," Blaney said. "Together, we are working with the best partners to bring these innovative medicines to the clinic."
With this milestone payment, C4X Discovery and AstraZeneca continue to move closer towards realizing the potential of potent and selective NRF2 activators in treating inflammatory and respiratory diseases.