Takeda licensed for anemia treatment by Keros Therapeutics

Takeda has entered into an exclusive global licensing agreement with Keros Therapeutics for the development, manufacturing, and commercialization of the investigational activin inhibitor elritercept, which is aimed at treating anemia. This agreement excludes the regions of Hong Kong, Macau, and mainland China. Takeda's objective through this agreement is to enhance its oncology pipeline. From the moment the agreement becomes effective, Takeda will oversee all subsequent development activities related to elritercept.

As part of the agreement, Takeda will make an upfront payment of $200 million to Keros, with the potential for additional payments that could reach $1.1 billion, contingent upon hitting various development, approval, and sales milestones. Additionally, Keros will be entitled to receive tiered royalties based on net sales. It is important to note that the agreement’s activation depends on clearance under the US Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act.

Jasbir Seehra, CEO and chair of Keros Therapeutics, expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration with Takeda, highlighting Takeda’s extensive global reach and expertise in oncology and hematology. Seehra emphasized that this partnership has the potential to unlock the promise of elritercept for patients suffering from myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) and myelofibrosis (MF), which are rare types of anemia-related blood cancers. Elritercept targets activin A and B proteins that are involved in anemia-related conditions, offering a differentiated mechanism of action that addresses a broad spectrum of blood cell production pathways.

Currently, elritercept is undergoing two Phase II studies and is slated for evaluation in the upcoming Phase III RENEW trial, which will focus on patients with transfusion-dependent anemia who are categorized as very low, low, or intermediate risk MDS patients. Takeda intends to conduct a thorough evaluation of elritercept across various patient demographics and stages of treatment. The investigational therapy has shown a manageable safety profile in early clinical trials, both as a standalone treatment for MDS and in combination with standard therapies for MF. Elritercept has also been granted fast track status by the US Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of MDS.

In a related development in November 2024, Takeda partnered with Alloy Therapeutics to develop advanced cancer therapies utilizing stem cell technology. This partnership underscores Takeda's commitment to advancing its oncology pipeline and addressing unmet needs in cancer treatment.