Takeda Pharmaceutical Company has exercised its option to acquire Maverick Therapeutics for a pre-negotiated upfront payment and potential development and regulatory milestones totalling up to $525m.
Through this acquisition, Takeda will be able to expand its novel immuno-oncology portfolio.
The latest development follows a multi-year collaboration signed by the companies in 2017 for developing conditionally active T-cell engager therapies, though which Takeda received an equity stake and an exclusive right to buy Maverick after five years.
Under the agreement, Takeda will gain access to Maverick’s T-cell engager COBRA platform and a wide development portfolio, including the latter’s lead development candidate, TAK-186 (MVC-101) and TAK-280 (MVC-280).
At present, TAK-186 is in a Phase I/II study for treating EGFR-expressing solid tumours while TAK-280 is set to enter the clinic for treating B7H3-expressing solid tumour patients.
On closing of the deal, employees of Maverick, including its scientists’ team will join Takeda’s Research & Development organisation.
How well do you really know your competitors?
Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.
Thank you!
Your download email will arrive shortly
Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample
We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form
By GlobalDataTakeda oncology therapeutic area unit head Chris Arendt said: “Collaboration is paramount to our R&D strategy and our pursuit of novel approaches to treat cancer.
“Maverick’s cutting-edge COBRA platform is an exciting addition to our oncology portfolio that provides a novel conditional bioengineering approach to advance redirected immunotherapies against solid tumours.”
Designed to safely target a wide range of solid tumours with highly specific and potent activity, Maverick’s COBRA platform can limit toxicities in normal tissues.
As compared to standard T-cell engaging immunotherapies that are systemically active on administration, COBRA-engineered, protein-based therapies can potentially exploit the tumour microenvironment, prompting T-cell-mediated killing only at the tumour site without causing damage to healthy tissues.
Last week, Takeda signed an agreement to sell four non-core type 2 diabetes products in Japan to Teijin Pharma for JPY133bn ($1.25bn).