Takeda to Purchase Autoimmune Treatment for $6 Billion

Takeda announced its intent to acquire NDI-034858, an oral, selective allosteric tyrosine kinase 2 (TYK2) inhibitor, from Nimbus Pharmaceuticals, a clinical-stage drug discovery company, on Dec. 13, 2022. Takeda plans to purchase the drug, which is being evaluated for treatment in various autoimmune diseases, for a total of $6 billion. Four billion dollars will be paid upfront, with Nimbus also eligible for two milestone payments of an additional billion dollars when the drug achieves annual net sales of $4 billion and $5 billion, respectively.

According to a company press release, Nimbus recently disclosed positive topline results from a Phase IIb study evaluating NDI-034858 in patients with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis. It is expected to enter Phase III for psoriasis in 2023, and the drug is also in an ongoing Phase IIb study in active psoriatic arthritis. Additionally, Takeda also plans to investigate it for treatment of inflammatory bowel disease and other autoimmune diseases.

“Adding this TYK2 inhibitor to our late-stage pipeline gives Takeda an exciting program that has the potential to significantly expand our portfolio and patient impact, while enhancing our growth strategy beyond [vedolizumab],” said Christophe Weber, president and CEO, Takeda, in the release. “We are confident we can execute a broad development program and deliver a best-in-class therapy for these patients, given Takeda’s strong background in immune-mediated diseases, including inflammatory bowel disease.”

“This program further expands Takeda’s GI [gastrointestinal] clinical programs and therapeutic focus. After having seen the NDI-034858 Phase [IIb] data, particularly the [psoriasis area and severity index] scores, we are excited by the differentiation of this molecule within the TYK2 class, and we believe in its broad potential for people with autoimmune diseases,” said Andy Plump, president of R&D, Takeda, in the release. “By virtue of its unique allosteric mechanism of action, NDI-034858 is both a potent and highly selective TYK2 inhibitor with exceptional clinical activity, a strong tolerability profile, and wide therapeutic margins. NDI-034858 is a potentially best-in-class TYK2 inhibitor across a wide range of immune mediated conditions.”

Following the acquisition, NDI-034858 will be known as TAK-279. A closing date was not disclosed and is contingent on completion of review under antitrust laws.

Source: Takeda