Takeda enters $255m lupus partnership with Resolve
This article was originally published in Scrip
Takeda Pharmaceutical and Resolve Therapeutics have entered into a partnership to develop compounds for the treatment of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) and other autoimmune diseases, announcing that the lead compound, RSLV-132, a nuclease Fc fusion protein, will begin clinical development later this year.
Under the terms of the agreement, Takeda will help fund continued development of RSLV-132 through an initial payment of $8 million to Seattle-based Resolve in fiscal 2012. Upon exercise of its option, Takeda would pay Resolve an option exercise fee, plus the potential for additional development milestones totalling $247 million. Furthermore Resolve is eligible to receive royalties on product sales. Resolve was advised in the transaction by Fenwick & West, LLP
Privately held firm, Resolve is to conduct all development work under the collaboration until completion of the first RSLV-132 Phase Ib/IIa trial in lupus patients. Takeda has the exclusive option to license the lead compound and all other compounds from the Resolve platform upon the completion of the Phase Ib/IIa trial. Upon exercise of its option, Takeda would assume lead responsibility for worldwide development and commercialisation of the Resolve products.
The companies said that additional Resolve clinical candidates, which target the degradation and elimination of autoantibody-containing immune complexes thought to be the most proximal pathophysiological trigger of lupus, are in the pre-clinical proof-of-concept stage.
They added that RSLV-132, is a novel targeted biologic therapy, representing a new approach to 'eliminating immune complexes which are recognised as one of the most important and proximal triggers of the inflammatory cascade in lupus'. RSLV-132 is currently in IND-enabling studies.