This article is more than 5 years old. Information may no longer be current.
Nektar, Takeda enter collaboration to investigate NKTR-214 combinations
Click Here to Manage Email Alerts
Nektar Therapeutics and Takeda entered into a research collaboration to evaluate the combination of NKTR-214 and several other compounds in tumor models of lymphoma, melanoma and colorectal cancer.
NKTR-214 (Nektar Therapeutics) is an investigational immuno-stimulatory therapy designed to expand specific cancer-fighting CD8–positive effector T cells and natural killer cells directly in the tumor micro-environment and increase expression of PD-1 on these immune cells.
Under the collaboration, researchers will test NKTR-214 in combination with five targeted compounds developed by Takeda.
“We look forward to collaborating with Takeda to explore a range of combination therapy approaches in models of both liquid and solid tumors,” Jonathan Zalevsky, PhD, senior vice president of biology and preclinical development at Nektar, said in a company-issued press release. “Importantly, this research collaboration will allow us to understand the potential of NKTR-214 with key compounds in the Takeda oncology portfolio, including a SYK-inhibitor and a proteasome inhibitor, and identify which combination treatment regimens show the most promise for possible advancement into the clinic.”
Clinical and preclinical studies have shown an expansion of cancer-fighting immune cells and mobilization into the tumor micro-environment following treatment with NKTR-214
“We see significant potential in Nektar's unique CD122-biased agonist, in particular the ability to stimulate tumor-killing T-cells in the tumor micro-environment,” Phil Rowlands, PhD, head of the oncology therapeutic area unit at Takeda, said in the release. “Research partnerships are an important part of helping us advance our aspiration of curing cancer. Working together with Nektar will enable us to identify combinations with exciting preclinical activity and help us achieve Takeda's goal of developing innovative, targeted therapies to treat people with cancer.”