Samsung Bioepis and Takeda ink deal to co-develop new biologic therapies.
Samsung’s biopharmaceutical affiliate, Samsung Bioepis, and Japan’s Takeda Pharmaceutical Co. announced the signing of a strategic collaboration agreement, to jointly fund the co-development of multiple novel biologic therapies in unmet disease areas. Plans call for the two companies to immediately begin developing TAK-671, the collaboration’s first candidate targeted to treat inflammation associated with severe acute pancreatitis.
According to Incheon, Korea-based Samsung Bioepis, the risk-sharing alliance combines the company’s biologics development platform with the Takeda-developed candidate. There are currently are no treatments for the disease, though Takeda has two anti-inflammatory medications on the market, said a Korean news source, including Entyvio, for severely active ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease.
Daniel Curran, head of Takeda’s Center for External Innovation, commented on the collaboration’s potential. “At Takeda, we think differently – and creatively – about what makes a partnership successful and look to build on our strengths by collaborating with partners who have complementary expertise. This collaboration with Samsung Bioepis does that, by combining our unique capabilities in development and manufacturing along with fresh and innovative clinical approaches, we will maximize the potential for successful introduction of important medicines to patients.”
Marking a milestone for Samsung Group, the collaboration marks the first time the company has focused on innovation; seeking growth, not through biosimilars, but through new drug development. “Takeda’s extensive knowledge and expertise in drug development makes the company an ideal partner for us as we open a new chapter at Samsung Bioepis,” said President and CEO Christopher Hansung Ko. “Five years ago, we entered the biopharmaceutical industry with a strong determination to transform the way therapies are brought to patients by replacing legacy processes with new and innovative ones. Together with Takeda, we look forward to realizing this vision by accelerating the development of effective therapies for patients who are currently without a viable treatment option.”
