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Takeda, Enterome to collaborate on microbiome-based drugs for IBD, IBS, other GI disorders
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Takeda Pharmaceuticals and Enterome Bioscience SA today announced they will collaborate on research and development of new potential therapies aimed at microbiome targets believed to be involved in GI disorders like inflammatory bowel disease and irritable bowel syndrome, according to a press release.
“This strategic collaboration with Takeda is a significant achievement for Enterome and represents an important step towards realizing the full potential of our expertise and unique capabilities in unlocking the microbiome to generate new therapeutic solutions to serious diseases,” Pierre Belichard, CEO of Enterome, said in the press release. “We are delighted to begin this new collaboration, which will combine our continuing leadership in the microbiome space and Takeda’s global therapeutic drug discovery and development capabilities. It is also an important step for Enterome towards achieving its ambition to become a leading global biopharmaceutical company in the microbiome space.”
The collaboration agreement entails Enterome will support discovery of potential novel small molecules or biologics derived from gut microbiota using its proprietary metagenomics platform, and the GI targets to which these agents will be directed will be selected by both companies. Takeda will have exclusive, global license options on selected agents and will lead their regulatory and clinical development and commercialization efforts.
Moreover, Takeda will provide Enterome with 3-year research and development funding up front. For each molecule discovered, Enterome will be able to receive additional payments in the form of option exercise, development, regulatory and commercial milestone payments, and for any products Takeda commercializes, Enterome will be able to receive potential tiered royalties on net sales.
“At Takeda, innovation is at the core of our efforts to bring new therapies to patients in the future,” Gareth Hicks, PhD, head of gastroenterology drug discovery for Takeda, said in the press release. “In partnering with scientists at Enterome, who perform cutting-edge research into microbiome-derived agents, Takeda is able to explore this exciting science and bring innovative therapies forward.”
Disclosures: Belichard reports he is an employee of Enterome, and Hicks reports he is an employee of Takeda.