Takeda And Affilogic Enter Into Research Collaboration To Develop Nanofitin-Based Therapies In Central Nervous System

OSAKA, Japan & NANTES, France--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited (TSE: 4502) and Affilogic today jointly announced that the companies have entered into a research collaboration to explore using Affilogic’s proprietary Nanofitins® platform in therapies targeting the central nervous system. Specifically, Affilogic and Takeda, through its research center in San Diego, California, will leverage their respective competencies to validate and optimize Nanofitins® that enable Takeda to deliver biotherapeutic candidates into the brain to address neurological disorders.

“Takeda has world class expertise in central nervous system drug discovery and we are very enthusiastic to work together to develop innovative biotherapeutics for the treatment of a number of neurological diseases”

“Takeda has world class expertise in central nervous system drug discovery and we are very enthusiastic to work together to develop innovative biotherapeutics for the treatment of a number of neurological diseases,” said Olivier Kitten, Chief Executive Officer of Affilogic. “Takeda is a partner of choice for Affilogic to significantly expand the number of research programs relying on our Nanofitins® platform advancing into clinical trials.”

“The collaboration with Affilogic provides Takeda with an excellent opportunity to accelerate its modality diversification into biologics by utilizing the innovative Nanofitin® technology that Affilogic has developed,” commented Dr. Ceri Davies, Head of Takeda’s Central Nervous System Drug Discovery.

Nanofitins® are potent antibody-mimetics, exhibiting high affinity and specificity for capture, targeting and interaction with biomolecules. They can be easily conjugated to other moieties, such as antibodies, small molecules, and nanoparticles, to empower third parties’ molecules, their very small size triggering low impact on the natural properties of such payload.

Under the terms of the agreement, Affilogic will receive an upfront payment and research funding, and is eligible to receive additional development and sales milestone payments and royalties by Takeda. Takeda will be entitled to commercialize worldwide products incorporating Affilogic Nanofitins® resulting from the collaboration. Further details of the agreement were not disclosed.

About Takeda

Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited (TSE: 4502) is a global, R&D-driven pharmaceutical company committed to bringing better health and a brighter future to patients by translating science into life-changing medicines. Takeda focuses its research efforts on oncology, gastroenterology and central nervous system therapeutic areas. It also has specific development programs in specialty cardiovascular diseases as well as late-stage candidates for vaccines. Takeda conducts R&D both internally and with partners to stay at the leading edge of innovation. New innovative products, especially in oncology, central nervous system and gastroenterology, as well as its presence in emerging markets, fuel the growth of Takeda. More than 30,000 Takeda employees are committed to improving quality of life for patients, working with our partners in health care in more than 70 countries.

For more information, visit http://www.takeda.com/news.

About Affilogic

Affilogic is a privately-owned biotech company specialized in discovery and development of a novel class of targeting ligands called Nanofitins®. Nanofitins® demonstrate many small molecule-like attributes such as a very small size (7 kDa, around 20 times smaller than a monoclonal antibody), an extreme robustness and a better tissue penetration. Deriving from a naturally hyperstable scaffold, Nanofitins® are resistant to temperature and pH, stable to proteases, spontaneously refolding… Nanofitins® are produced by simple, scalable, GMP- compliant bacterial fermentation at very attractive costs or by chemical synthesis.

Affilogic has designed Nanofitins® against 50+ targets to date, including a wide range of circulating antigens (peptides, proteins), membrane receptors for inhibition / modulation / translocation, and complex entities (Virus-like Particles, bacteria, whole cells). Nanofitin®-based drugs are currently being developed in collaboration with Sanofi, Ferring Pharmaceuticals and other undisclosed pharmaceutical companies. Several early-stage programs are currently exploring

- (i) non-injectable administration of Nanofitins®
- (ii) Nanofitin®-Drug Conjugates
- (iii) multifunctional Nanofitins®

Affilogic designs and develops Nanofitins® through early-stage collaborations.

For more information, please visit www.affilogic.com.

Takeda’s Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains “forward-looking statements.” Forward-looking statements include all statements other than statements of historical fact, including plans, strategies and expectations for the future, statements regarding the expected timing of filings and approvals relating to the transaction, the expected timing of the completion of the transaction, the ability to complete the transaction or to satisfy the various closing conditions, future revenues and profitability from or growth or any assumptions underlying any of the foregoing. Statements made in the future tense, and words such as “anticipate,” “expect,” “project,” “continue,” “believe,” “plan,” “estimate,” “pro forma,” “intend,” “potential,” “target,” “forecast,” “guidance,” “outlook,” “seek,” “assume,” “will,” “may,” “should,” and similar expressions are intended to qualify as forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on estimates and assumptions made by management that are believed to be reasonable, though they are inherently uncertain and difficult to predict. Investors and security holders are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements.

Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results or experience to differ materially from that expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Some of these risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: required regulatory approvals for the transaction may not be obtained in a timely manner, if at all; the conditions to closing of the transaction may not be satisfied; competitive pressures and developments; applicable laws and regulations; the success or failure of product development programs; actions of regulatory authorities and the timing thereof; changes in exchange rates; and claims or concerns regarding the safety or efficacy of marketed products or product candidates in development.

The forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of the date of this press release, and neither Affilogic nor Takeda undertakes any obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statements to reflect new information, future events or circumstances after the date of the forward-looking statement. If one or more of these statements is updated or corrected, investors and others should not conclude that additional updates or corrections will be made.