Takeda Expands Partnership with BridGene in $770M Deal to Target 'Undruggable' Molecules

Takeda Pharmaceutical Company has further solidified its relationship with BridGene Biosciences, announcing a new licensing agreement worth up to $770 million. This deal, revealed on Tuesday, aims to develop novel small-molecule drugs against challenging immunology and neurology targets, leveraging BridGene's proprietary IMTAC platform.

Deal Structure and Financial Terms

The agreement includes an upfront payment and potential preclinical milestone payment totaling $46 million. Additional clinical and commercial milestones could push the deal's value to $770 million. BridGene will also receive tiered royalties on net sales of any products resulting from the collaboration.

Takeda will gain exclusive rights to assets developed through this partnership and will be responsible for clinical development, regulatory activities, and commercialization. The two companies will work collaboratively during the hit-finding and preclinical development stages.

IMTAC Platform and 'Undruggable' Targets

BridGene's IMTAC platform, central to this partnership, employs a chemoproteomic approach to drug design and discovery. This technology enables the development of molecules capable of targeting proteins previously considered "undruggable." While specific priority indications remain undisclosed, the focus on immunology and neurology suggests Takeda's strategic interest in these therapeutic areas.

Takeda's Recent Dealmaking Streak

This latest agreement with BridGene is part of a broader pattern of dealmaking for Takeda. In the past nine months, the company has engaged in several high-value partnerships:

1. December 2024: $200 million upfront payment to Keros Therapeutics for elritercept, a blood cancer-related anemia drug, with potential milestones exceeding $1.1 billion.

2. May 2024: Up to $2.2 billion deal with AC Immune for an Alzheimer's disease candidate.

3. May 2024: Potential $1.2 billion contract with Degron Therapeutics for molecular glue degraders.

These deals underscore Takeda's aggressive approach to expanding its pipeline and capabilities through strategic partnerships, particularly in areas with significant unmet medical needs.