Takeda Acquires Global License for Celiac Disease Therapy for $420 million

Takeda Pharmaceutical announced it acquired a global license to develop and commercialize the investigational medicine CNP-101/TAK-101, an immune modifying nanoparticle containing gliadin proteins for the treatment of celiac disease, from Cour Pharmaceutical Development Company, a therapy development company headquartered in Northbrook, IL, for $420 million.

According to an Oct. 22, 2019 press release, the therapy received positive results in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial in 34 adults with proven celiac disease. Based on the results, Takeda decided to move forward with a dose-ranging study that explores the potential of TAK-101 in the treatment of patients with celiac disease on a gluten-free diet to inform future registrational trials.

“We are encouraged by the data from this first human proof of concept study of our proprietary nanoparticle platform designed to reprogram the immune system,” said John J. Puisis, CEO of Cour Pharmaceuticals, in the press release. “As Takeda assumes responsibility for the celiac disease program, Cour will focus on advancing our pipeline of therapies for a variety of other immune disorders ranging from multiple sclerosis to peanut allergy.”

“While many people living with celiac disease can manage their symptoms by following a gluten free diet, there are currently no treatment options for those who continue to have symptoms,” added Asit Parikh MD, PhD, head of the Gastroenterology Therapeutic Area Unit at Takeda, in the press release. “Our collaboration with Cour has shown, for the first time, that it is possible to induce specific immune tolerance to a foreign antigen in autoimmune diseases such as celiac disease. With our expertise in inflammatory diseases, Takeda is well positioned to further develop TAK-101 in pursuit of providing the first approved treatment option for patients with celiac disease.”

Source: Takeda