Dive Brief:
- In April 2014, oncology biotech company Mersana Therapeutics and Takeda teamed up to focus on antibody-based conjugate (ADC) technology. Now they are expanding the deal, which is worth up to $300 million when milestone payments are included.
- Takeda's objective is to get more shots on goal for its oncology division through ADC, through which cancer-killing chemicals hitch onto specifically targeted antibodies, allowing them to hone in on malignancies and spare healthy tissue.
- This is all occurring in the context of Takeda's new CEO, Chris Weber, taking over and promising a more stringent approach to R&D.
Dive Insight:
Takeda's investment in the R&D pact with Merana shows its commitment to oncology as a primary area of R&D, especially considering the fact that it is cutting 3,000 jobs as part of an efficiency effort in both the US and Europe that should save $1 billion by 2017.