Let's Not Stay Together...Takeda and MacroGenics Nix Agreement

September 12, 2016
By Alex Keown, BioSpace.com Breaking News Staff

Rockville, Md. – MacroGenics, Inc. and Takeda Pharmaceuticals have terminated their licensing agreement for MGD010, a bispecific molecule targeting CD32B and CD79B, MacroGenics announced this morning.

As a result of the agreement being severed, worldwide rights to MGD010 have reverted to MacroGenics. MGD010 is a humanized DART molecule that simultaneously targets CD32B and CD79B. CD32B is a checkpoint molecule expressed on B lymphocytes that, when co-ligated with CD79B, a component of the B-cell antigen receptor complex, delivers a co-inhibitory signal that dampens B-cell activation. In a Phase I study, MGD010 was well tolerated and demonstrated linear pharmacokinetics and dose-dependent selective binding to B lymphocytes without persistent B-cell depletion.

Takeda terminated the agreement before the expiration date of its option exercise period. The termination of the agreement is in line with Takeda’s plan to refocus its research & development on three targeted therapeutic areas—oncology, gastroenterology and the central nervous system (CNS). MacroGenics stressed Takeda’s termination of the agreement was not based on the ongoing Phase I study with MGD010. MacroGenics plans to continue to advance the development of this product candidate based on the positive study results reported to date, the company said.

Scott Koenig, president and chief executive officer of MacroGenics, called Takeda’s decision an “opportunity” for the company. In a statement he said MacroGenics now has the ability to develop MGD010 on its own as well as “explore future strategic partnering opportunities with this program."

Emiliangelo Ratti, head of Takeda’s CNS Therapeutic Area Unit, said the company has “enjoyed collaborating” with MacroGenics, but reiterated that it was Takeda’s change in direction that prompted the company to sever its relationship.

“We look forward to MacroGenics' continued progress with MGD010 as a potential new therapy for patients suffering from B-cell mediated autoimmune and inflammatory disorders,” Ratti said in a statement.

The two companies struck their collaborative deal in 2014, with Takeda receiving an option to obtain an exclusive worldwide license for MGD010 following the delivery of a data package, including data from a completed, pre-defined Phase I study.

This is not the first time a company has walked away from a collaborative deal with MacroGenics. Last year French-based Servier opted to walk away from a four-year-old $450 million cancer therapy deal with U.S.-based MacroGenics, Inc. In late October, Servier said it would not exercise its option to license regional rights for enoblituzumab (MGA271), a clinical-stage monoclonal antibody targeting B7-H3, a member of the B7 family of immune regulators.