Collaboration with Wave Life Sciences Ltd. to
discover and develop best-in-class antisense oligonucleotides for
potential treatment of genetically-defined neurological
diseases
Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited (TSE: 4502) today
announced that it has entered into a research, development and
commercial collaboration and multi-program option agreement with
Wave Life Sciences Ltd. (Wave) to develop antisense
oligonucleotides for genetically-defined neurological diseases.
This partnership supports Takeda’s externalization strategy, which
focuses on collaborations that complement its internal pipeline of
programs, and represents the next generation of innovative
therapies to treat diseases with no current treatment options.
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“Takeda is deeply committed to pursuing innovative approaches in
neuroscience research and development,” said Emiliangelo Ratti,
Head, Neuroscience Therapeutic Area Unit at Takeda. “Our
collaboration with Wave will further enable our focus to accelerate
the development of transformational therapies for patients for whom
there are currently no treatments available.”
The first component of the collaboration with Wave will focus on
programs targeting Huntington’s disease (HD), amyotrophic lateral
sclerosis (ALS) (commonly referred to as Lou Gehrig’s disease),
frontotemporal dementia (FTD) and spinocerebellar ataxia type 3
(SCA3). Wave is developing oligonucleotide therapeutics to target
diseases that have been historically difficult to treat with small
molecules or biologics. Their molecules are designed to reduce the
expression of disease-promoting proteins or to transform the
production of dysfunctional mutant proteins into the production of
functional proteins, with the potential of treating the targeted
disease. The first component of this collaboration will investigate
the following potential therapies with the option to co-develop and
co-commercialize after demonstration of clinical proof of
mechanism:
- WVE-120101 and WVE-120102, which
selectively target mutant huntingtin and are currently in Phase
1b/2a clinical trials for the treatment of HD
- WVE-3972-01, which targets C9ORF72 and
is expected to be evaluated in clinical studies for the treatment
of ALS and FTD beginning in Q4 2018
- Program targeting ATXN3 for the
treatment of SCA3
The second component of the collaboration provides Takeda with
the rights to exclusively license multiple preclinical programs
targeting other neurological disorders including Alzheimer’s
disease and Parkinson’s disease. At any one time during a four-year
term, the companies may collaborate on up to six preclinical
programs.
“At Takeda, we are focused on partnering with companies that
share our research focus and commitment to deliver transformative
medicines to patients,” said Daniel Curran, M.D., Head, Center for
External Innovation at Takeda. “Wave’s expertise in optimizing
oligonucleotides offers a complementary approach to programs that
Takeda is currently pursuing for neurological disorders, maximizing
our potential for success, and their pipeline and focus are closely
aligned with our own.”
This collaboration with Wave is part of Takeda’s overall
partnership strategy and deepened commitment in neuroscience, which
also includes recently signed collaboration agreements with
Mindstrong Health to explore the development of digital biomarkers
for selected mental health conditions, and Denali Therapeutics, a
company with an innovative platform technology for transporting
antibodies into the brain, to develop and commercialize therapies
for neurodegenerative diseases.
About Takeda Neuroscience
Neuroscience is a core therapeutic area for Takeda. Our
aspiration is to provide innovative medicines for targeted patient
populations suffering from neuropsychiatric disorders for whom
there are no treatments available. We identify targets either
genetically linked with specific neuropsychiatric disorders or with
high association to the disease pathophysiology, design and
operationalize clinical trials in novel ways in an effort to
overcome historical challenges, and collaborate with patients,
academic institutions, pharmaceutical and biotechnology partners,
payors, regulators and prescribers to integrate their unique
expertise and perspective. Takeda’s current portfolio consists of
four approved medicines to treat adults with Major Depressive
Disorder (MDD), Alzheimer’s-type dementia, insomnia and multiple
sclerosis. In addition, there are many novel compounds in clinical
development for targeted patient populations.
About Takeda Pharmaceutical Company
Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited (TSE: 4502) is a global,
research and development-driven pharmaceutical company committed to
bringing better health and a brighter future to patients by
translating science into life-changing medicines. Takeda focuses
its R&D efforts on oncology, gastroenterology and neuroscience
therapeutic areas plus vaccines. Takeda conducts R&D both
internally and with partners to stay at the leading edge of
innovation. New innovative products, especially in oncology and
gastroenterology, as well as Takeda’s presence in emerging markets,
are currently fueling the growth of Takeda. Approximately 30,000
Takeda employees are committed to improving quality of life for
patients, working with Takeda’s partners in health care in more
than 70 countries. For more information, visit
https://www.takeda.com/newsroom/.
Takeda’s Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains “forward-looking statements.”
Forward-looking statements include all statements other than
statements of historical fact, including plans, strategies and
expectations for the future, statements regarding the expected
timing of filings and approvals relating to the transaction, the
expected timing of the completion of the transaction, the ability
to complete the transaction or to satisfy the various closing
conditions, future revenues and profitability from or growth or any
assumptions underlying any of the foregoing. Statements made in the
future tense, and words such as “anticipate,” “expect,” “project,”
“continue,” “believe,” “plan,” “estimate,” “pro forma,” “intend,”
“potential,” “target,” “forecast,” “guidance,” “outlook,” “seek,”
“assume,” “will,” “may,” “should,” and similar expressions are
intended to qualify as forward-looking statements. Forward-looking
statements are based on estimates and assumptions made by
management that are believed to be reasonable, though they are
inherently uncertain and difficult to predict. Investors and
security holders are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these
forward-looking statements.
Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that
could cause actual results or experience to differ materially from
that expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Some
of these risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to:
required regulatory approvals for the transaction may not be
obtained in a timely manner, if at all; the conditions to closing
of the transaction may not be satisfied; competitive pressures and
developments; applicable laws and regulations; the success or
failure of product development programs; actions of regulatory
authorities and the timing thereof; changes in exchange rates; and
claims or concerns regarding the safety or efficacy of marketed
products or product candidates in development.
The forward-looking statements contained in this press release
speak only as of the date of this press release, and neither Wave
nor Takeda undertake any obligation to revise or update any
forward-looking statements to reflect new information, future
events or circumstances after the date of the forward-looking
statement. If one or more of these statements is updated or
corrected, investors and others should not conclude that additional
updates or corrections will be made.
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TakedaKelly Schlemm,
+1-617-551-8865kelly.schlemm@takeda.com