Takeda and Neurocrine to Collaborate on $2-Billion Deal for Pipeline Program Development

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Neurocrine will develop and commercialize seven of Takeda’s pipeline programs, including three clinical-stage assets for schizophrenia, treatment-resistant depression, and anhedonia.

Takeda and Neurocrine Biosciences announced on June 16, 2020 that they have entered into a collaboration worth up to approximately $2 billion to develop and commercialize seven of Takeda’s pipeline programs, including three clinical-stage assets for schizophrenia, treatment-resistant depression, and anhedonia.

Through the agreement, Takeda will receive a total of $120 million in upfront cash and will be entitled to development milestones of up to $495 million, commercial milestones of up to $1.4 billion, and double-digit royalties on net sales, a Takeda press release said. Additionally, Takeda will have the option to opt in or out of a 50/50 profit share on all clinical programs on an asset-by-asset basis, while Neurocrine will be responsible for developing and commercializing all pipeline compounds included in the collaboration.

“We are excited to collaborate with Takeda to bring life-changing therapies to people living with serious, challenging, and under-addressed psychiatric disorders who are in need of better treatment options,” said Kevin Gorman, PhD, CEO at Neurocrine Biosciences, in the press release. “With our deep understanding in the fields of psychiatry and neurology, we look forward to developing new treatments for schizophrenia, treatment-resistant depression, and anhedonia as part of our diverse clinical development pipeline. This strategic partnership enhances our growing pipeline and strengthens our position as a leading neuroscience-focused biopharmaceutical company.”

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“With longstanding experience developing and commercializing therapies for serious neurological and psychiatric disorders, Neurocrine Biosciences is the ideal partner to continue to develop our early-to-mid-stage psychiatry portfolio and bring these potential new therapies to patients,” said Sarah Sheikh, MD, head, Neuroscience Therapeutic Area Unit at Takeda, in the press release. “Takeda is deeply committed to neuroscience as one of our core therapeutic areas. The strategic partnership with Neurocrine Biosciences allows us to continue to build on our leadership in psychiatry and deliver future medicines for these patients while advancing our clinical assets for rare neurological diseases, such as narcolepsy, developmental, and epileptic encephalopathies and neurodegenerative conditions.”

Source: Takeda