Takeda collaborates with Enterome to discover new GI therapeutics

Takeda Pharmaceutical Co. of Japan said this week it is teaming up with French drugmaker Enterome Biosciense SA to develop new treatments for gastrointestinal disorders.

The companies will research and create therapeutics aimed at the microbiome targets that play key roles in conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome and ulcerative colitis.

“At Takeda, innovation is at the core of our efforts to bring new therapies to patients in the future,” Gareth Hicks, head of gastroenterology drug discovery for Takeda, said. “In partnering with scientists at Enterome, who perform cutting-edge research into microbiome-derived agents, Takeda is able to explore this exciting science and bring innovative therapies forward.”

Under the collaboration agreement, Enterome's proprietary metagenomic platform will be used to discover new small molecules or biologics derived from gut bacteria and directed to GI targets chosen by both companies. Takeda will provide Enterome with an upfront payment, as well as three years of R&D funding and payments for achieving certain milestones. Enterome is also eligible to receive royalties on net sales of products commercialized by Takeda.

“This strategic collaboration with Takeda is a significant achievement for Enterome and represents an important step towards realizing the full potential of our expertise and unique capabilities in unlocking the microbiome to generate new therapeutic solutions to serious diseases,” Enterome CEO Pierre Belichard said. “We are delighted to begin this new collaboration, which will combine our continuing leadership in the microbiome space and Takeda’s global therapeutic drug discovery and development capabilities."