Takeda, on the cusp of closing its deal to acquire Shire, is also working to ramp up its efforts in emerging fields of cancer research like cell therapy and immuno-oncology more broadly.
Takeda’s new internal team will be led by Stefan Wildt and encompasses bioengineering, chemistry, manufacturing and controls, and clinical functions.
The MSKCC and Noile-Immune Biotech deals, meanwhile, are followed by Takeda’s recently exercised option for an exclusive oncology-targeted Humabody license from Crescendo Biologics. This grew out of the October 2016 deal between the two companies, and enables Takeda to evaluate Humabodies for development of new CAR-T therapeutics.
These aren’t Takeda’s first steps into the cell therapy field. A year ago it announced its intention to acquire Belgian company TiGenix for $625 million following a 2016 collaboration. Tigenix’ Cx601, now known as Alosfisel (darvadstrocel), is the first allogeneic stem cell therapy to be approved in Europe.
