Takeda and Enterome announce drug discovery collaboration
To focus on microbiome targets across multiple gastrointestinal disorders
Takeda Pharmaceutical has embarked on a drug discovery collaboration with Enterome Bioscience of France.
The two firms will research and develop potential new therapeutics directed at microbiome targets thought to play a crucial role in gastrointestinal disorders, including inflammatory bowel diseases (e.g. ulcerative colitis) and motility disorders (e.g. irritable bowel syndrome).
Enterome will receive an upfront payment and three-year R&D funding, and is eligible to receive additional payments for each molecule discovered in the form of a share option exercise, plus development, regulatory and commercial milestone payments. Enterome will also receive potential tiered royalties on the net sales of any products that are commercialised by Takeda.
Further details of the agreement were not disclosed.
Enterome will use its proprietary metagenomic platform to support the discovery of potential novel agents (small molecules or biologics) derived from gut bacteria and directed to the GI targets selected by Enterome and Takeda. Takeda has an option to license selected agents on an exclusive global basis and will be responsible for their regulatory and clinical development as well as their commercialisation.
'This strategic collaboration with Takeda is a significant achievement for Enterome and represents an important step towards realising the full potential of our expertise and unique capabilities in unlocking the microbiome to generate new therapeutic solutions to serious diseases,' said Pierre Belichard, CEO of Enterome.
'It is also an important step for Enterome towards achieving its ambition to become a leading global biopharmaceutical company in the microbiome space.'
Gareth Hicks, head of gastroenterology drug discovery for Takeda, said: 'At Takeda, innovation is at the core of our efforts to bring new therapies to patients in the future. 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.'
