Takeda Takes GammaDelta Therapeutics
Following a multi-year collaboration, Japanese pharma Takeda has exercised its option to buy the UK’s GammaDelta Therapeutics for a pre-negotiated upfront sum, as well as future potential development and regulatory milestone payments. Takeda expects the acquisition to be finalized during the first quarter of its 2022 fiscal year.
GammaDelta is researching gamma-delta T cells for use in immunotherapy, primarily addressing solid tumors. Takeda first took an equity stake and the exclusive right to buy the London-based firm in May 2017.
The deal gives Takeda access to GammaDelta’s allogeneic variable delta 1 gamma-delta T cell therapy platforms, which include both blood-derived and tissue-derived platforms, in addition to early-stage cell therapy programs.
“Gamma-delta T cell-based therapies represent a differentiated approach to target both solid tumors and hematological malignancies, and we are eager to integrate GammaDelta’s cell therapy platforms into our immuno-oncology R&D efforts,” said Christopher Arendt, head of Takeda’s oncology cell therapy and therapeutic area unit.
GammaDelta’s CEO Paolo Paoletti added that the companies had made “great strides in developing our proprietary gamma-deltaT cell therapy platforms, which have enabled the development of a pipeline of innovative cell therapies and allowed for the advancement of our first program into Phase 1 clinical development.”
Author: Elaine Burridge, Freelance Journalist
