Takeda Discontinues AstraZeneca-Partnered Neurological Program and Other Pipeline Assets

Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited has announced several significant changes to its drug development pipeline, including the discontinuation of a high-profile neurological program partnered with AstraZeneca. The Japanese pharmaceutical giant revealed these updates in its recent third-quarter earnings report, signaling a strategic shift in its research and development focus.

AstraZeneca-Partnered MSA Program Fails Phase 2 Trial

Takeda has decided to abandon the development of TAK-341 (also known as MEDI1341), an alpha-synuclein antibody, for multiple system atrophy (MSA) following disappointing results from a phase 2 clinical trial. The global study, which involved 159 patients with MSA, a rare neurological disorder characterized by the loss of nerve cells in the brain, failed to meet both its primary and secondary endpoints.

The primary goal of the study was to demonstrate a benefit on the Modified Unified Multiple System Atrophy Rating Scale at Week 52. Patients received intravenous infusions of TAK-341 or placebo every four weeks. However, the results did not support further development of the drug for MSA, according to Takeda's earnings document.

This setback affects not only Takeda but also its partner AstraZeneca. The original agreement between the two companies covered TAK-341's development for both MSA and Parkinson's disease. While Takeda's updated pipeline no longer lists any Parkinson's programs, AstraZeneca still includes the alpha-synuclein monoclonal antibody in its phase 2 pipeline, suggesting a potential divergence in the companies' development strategies.

Strategic Pipeline Adjustments

In addition to the MSA program discontinuation, Takeda disclosed the termination of two phase 1-stage programs due to "strategic reasons":

1. GDX012 (TAK-012-1501): An allogeneic gamma delta T-cell therapy acquired through Takeda's purchase of GammaDelta Therapeutics in 2021. This asset was being evaluated in a phase 1/2 study for acute myeloid leukemia. The decision to drop this program aligns with Takeda's earlier announcement to deprioritize cell therapies and its more recent broader retreat from the cell therapy field.

2. Danavorexton (TAK-925) for narcolepsy: While this orexin-2 receptor agonist remains in phase 2 development for respiratory conditions, Takeda has discontinued its phase 1 work for narcolepsy. This decision comes approximately a year after the company halted a phase 2 trial of danavorexton in obstructive sleep apnea due to slow enrollment.

These pipeline adjustments reflect Takeda's ongoing efforts to refine its research and development strategy, focusing resources on programs with the highest potential for success and aligning with the company's core therapeutic areas.