Takeda enters $100m licensing agreement with Tesaro

Takeda has entered into an exclusive licensing agreement with biopharmaceutical company Tesaro to develop a novel cancer therapy in Japan.

According to a  statement released on Thursday, July 27, Takeda will develop niraparib, a drug which was first marketed in the US under the brand name Zejula.

The agreement includes the development of niraparib for the treatment of all tumour types in Japan, and all tumour types excluding prostate cancer in South Korea, Taiwan, Russia and Australia.

Tesaro will receive a $100 million upfront payment. It is eligible to receive additional milestone payments of up to $240 million relating to the achievement of certain regulatory and commercial goals.

Takeda will gain exclusive commercial rights for all potential future niraparib indications in Japan, and rights excluding prostate cancer in South Korea, Taiwan, Russia and Australia.

Christophe Bianchi, president of Takeda Oncology, said: “The niraparib development programme addresses many of the most prevalent and devastating cancers worldwide. We must continue to make new treatments available to patients and, through research, further our knowledge into the full utility of this molecule.”

Mary Hedley, president of Tesaro, added: “Tesaro is devoted to providing transformative therapies for people bravely facing cancer, and this partnership enables us to continue to globalise our mission.”

Niraparib is not currently approved for use in Japan, South Korea, Russia, Taiwan or Australia.

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