JAPAN — Takeda, a global pharmaceutical company based in Japan, is diligently expanding its pipeline to include yet another potential treatment for celiac disease.
To do so, Takeda has entered into a strategic licensing agreement with Innate Pharma, a biotechnology company specializing in the development of innovative therapeutic antibodies.
The licensing deal allows Takeda to leverage Innate’s proprietary panel of antibodies to perform research and develop novel antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) for celiac disease.
As part of this agreement, Takeda will have exclusive worldwide rights to whatever ADCs are generated through the use of Innate’s selection of antibodies.
To initiate this promising partnership, Takeda has made an upfront payment of US$5 million to Innate.
In addition, Innate stands to receive up to US$410 million in potential milestone payments, contingent upon successful development and commercialization of the ADCs.
Moreover, Innate will receive royalties on net sales of any product that results from the license.
While Innate did not reveal the specific target of the ADCs, the primary focus of the research and development program is celiac disease.
As the pharmaceutical industry continues to invest heavily in research and development for treatments targeting celiac disease, Takeda is making significant strides in its efforts to bring relief to patients affected by this autoimmune disorder.
Notably, the company has been collaborating with multiple partners to advance various candidates through the development pipeline.
In October of 2021, Takeda announced its partnership with Zedira and Dr. Falk Pharma to conduct Phase IIb trials of ZED1227/TAK-227.
The drug, a direct-acting transglutaminase inhibitor, is among the first celiac disease therapies to reach clinical development.
Takeda’s collaboration with Zedira and Dr. Falk is a critical step in the ongoing effort to bring a much-needed treatment option to market for patients living with celiac disease.
During the same period, Takeda took the opportunity to showcase its robust celiac disease pipeline during an earnings call.
The company emphasized its plan for TAK-227 and announced its intention to take over the Phase III study of the drug once the 12-week Phase IIb trial was complete.
Takeda’s Phase III study will employ newly released FDA guidelines for a potential celiac disease drug approval, highlighting the importance of following regulatory protocols in the pursuit of an effective treatment.
In 2020, Takeda acquired PvP Biologics, which included TAK-062, a protein designed to degrade gluten, as the main asset. The deal was valued at up to US$330 million in milestones and an upfront payment.
Additionally, in 2019, Takeda licensed TAK-101 from COUR Pharmaceuticals, which added up to US$420 million in potential milestone payments and royalties.
Both TAK-062 and TAK-101 are currently undergoing Phase II trials, according to Takeda’s website.
Taken together, Takeda’s ongoing commitment to developing novel treatments for celiac disease underscores the urgency and importance of addressing the unmet medical needs of patients living with this condition.
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