Osaka-based Takeda Pharmaceutical is keeping its dealmakers busy as it sheds, invests and expands clinical work in focus areas with the latest move an agreement with Altos Therapeutics for development and commercialization rights to the firm's gastroparesis candidate ATC-1906.
The deal gives Takeda an option to buy privately held California-based Altos outright as work proceeds on the candidate in early clinical development. Takeda made an unspecified upfront payment and will review the option once Phase I work is completed, the company said in a release.
The candidate is aimed at chronic gastric motility disorder and a bloated sensation after eating that may indicate a link to diabetes and includes symptoms such as vomiting and nausea, according to the release.
“There is a significant unmet need for a treatment to help patients with gastroparesis, and developing novel and innovative treatments for patients suffering from gastrointestinal disorders is a top priority for Takeda’s global R&D strategy,” Asit Parikh, SVP and head of Takeda’s Gastroenterology Therapeutic Area Unit, said in a statement.
“This agreement reinforces Takeda’s commitment to developing highly differentiated medicines to improve the health and quality of life of patients around the world.”
Takeda CEO Christophe Weber has made gastrointestinal ailments a focus of the company's research since taking the helm in April of last year with Entyvio (vedolizumab) the key therapy to watch for the treatment of Crohn's disease and colitis.
Weber has also stressed its additional work in oncology and CNS.
- here's the release
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