One of the ways Takeda is pursuing its ambitions in gene therapy is by forming alliances with biotech companies with tools and technologies that can contribute to its programs. Takeda has already formed an alliance with protein design startup Evozyne.The Japanese pharma giant is building on the agreement new agreement This could potentially cover up to four rare disease targets for gene therapy.
The disease target remains undisclosed. But under the terms of the deal announced Tuesday, Evozyne will create new protein sequences that can be advanced as gene therapies. Chicago-based Evozyne says it designs proteins by mimicking millions of years of natural evolution. The company has done this in the lab using artificial intelligence and machine learning techniques that analyze proteins produced in nature. Armed with this knowledge, Evozyne designs new proteins to address new disease challenges. The company describes its approach as rational design based on the rules of nature. The company calls its next-generation proteins “natural machines.”
Takeda and Evozyne Joining forces for the first time Early last year. The agreement calls for the startup to develop proteins that can be used in gene therapy to address inherited metabolic diseases. Financial terms were not disclosed, but the companies said Evozyne has received upfront and research payments and is eligible for milestone payments. The deal gives Takeda the option to license the Evozyne protein sequence for its gene therapy program.
Evozyne said on its website that it delivered first results to Takeda within six months and designed a library of novel proteins with improved functionality. The company added that it is developing functional miniaturized genes that could overcome the limitations of current engineered viruses for gene therapy. These viral vectors have limited genetic payload capacity.
The partners disclosed more financial details in a new agreement unveiled on Tuesday. Like the first transaction, the new transaction provides Takeda with the option to license the Evozyne protein for development and potential commercialization. Evozyne received upfront and research funding; the amount was not specified, other than to say it was in the millions. Development, regulatory and commercial milestone payments could bring Evozyne to $400 million.
Takeda’s gene therapy’s current genetic prospects stem from deals. Advances hemophilia gene therapy to mid-stage clinical trials in collaboration with AskBio Research Triangle Park, North Carolina.One Ally with Ambys Medicines Focused on developing cell and gene therapies for liver disease.Takeda also Evoteclast October, the pharma giant launched a Partnership with Poseida Therapeutics, a biotechnology company developing in vivo gene therapy delivered using non-viral technologies.
“Producing highly differentiated transgenes is critical to advancing the next generation of gene therapies,” Madhu Natarajan, head of Takeda’s rare disease drug discovery division, said in a prepared statement. “By expanding our collaboration with Evozyne, we have the opportunity to leverage their novel protein engineering platform on novel disease targets, with the hope of one day delivering functional treatments to patients with rare genetic diseases.”
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