Crescendo Biologics and Takeda collaborate on $790 million cancer research

Crescendo Biologics, the drug discovery and developer of Humabody-based therapeutics, and Takeda Pharmaceuticals will commence a global, strategic, multi-target collaboration and license agreement for the discovery, development and commercialisation of Humabody -based therapeutics for cancer indications with a high unmet medical need.

Crescendo will use its proprietary transgenic platform and engineering expertise to discover and optimally configure Humabody candidates (Humabody Drug Conjugates and Immuno-Oncology modulators) against multiple targets selected by Takeda.

Development and royalties rights

Under the terms of the agreement, Crescendo is eligible to receive up to $36 million, in a combination of an upfront payment, investment, research funding and preclinical milestones. Takeda will have the right to develop and commercialise Humabody-based therapeutics resulting from the collaboration.  Crescendo is also eligible to receive further clinical development, regulatory and sales-based milestone payments of up to $754 million.  In addition, Crescendo will be eligible to receive royalties on Humabody-based product sales by Takeda.

Takeda signed agreements with Crescendo Biologics through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Millennium Pharmaceuticals.

Crescendo Biologics

Crescendo Biologics is a biopharmaceutical company involved in discovering and developing potent, Humabody therapeutics with a focus on cancer. The Company’s Humabody therapeutics are based on its proprietary, robust and highly efficient fully human VH domain technology platform.

Crescendo is building a pipeline of new differentiated medicines, including Humabody Drug Conjugates (HDCs) and multi-specific immuno-oncology (IO) modulators, through in-house development and strategic partnerships.

Crescendo’s technology platform is centred on a unique and proprietary transgenic mouse, which enables the benefits of in vivo maturation to be harnessed thereby naturally optimising the affinity and biophysical properties of Humabodies.

Compared with monoclonal antibodies, Humabodies offer a unique combination of potential benefits that results from their small size, cost-effective production and modular plug & play engineering options for generating novel bi- or multi-specific formats.

Click here to visit Crescendo’s website!

Takeda Pharmaceuticals

Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited is a global, research and development-driven pharmaceutical company committed to bringing better health and a brighter future to patients by translating science into life-changing medicines. Takeda focuses its R&D efforts on oncology, gastroenterology and central nervous system therapeutic areas plus vaccines.

. New innovative products, especially in oncology and gastroenterology, as well as our presence in Emerging Markets, fuel the growth of Takeda. More than 30,000 Takeda employees are committed to improving quality of life for patients, working with our partners in health care in more than 70 countries.

Click here to visit Takeda’s website!