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news.3M Pharmaceuticals and Takeda Pharmaceutical Company have entered into an exclusive agreement to collaborate on a potential treatment for cervical high-risk human papillomavirus infection and cervical dysplasia. The compound is currently in phase I clinical testing.
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Under the terms of this agreement, 3M and Takeda will share further costs of development and, upon successful clinical development and regulatory approvals, the companies will jointly commercialize in the US and EU. Takeda will retain exclusive rights in Japan and certain Asian countries, and 3M will have exclusive commercialization rights in all other areas of the world.
The compound is part of the family of immune response modifier (IRM) molecules developed by 3M Pharmaceuticals. IRMs act in a novel way to stimulate the human body’s immune system to fight virus-infected cells and tumor cells. 3M currently markets Aldara (imiquimod) cream, 5%, the first topical IRM to be marketed globally.
“This is an excellent opportunity to advance the development and commercialization of a new pharmacological treatment for human papillomavirus (HPV) infection in women at risk for cervical cancer,” said Barry Labinger, division vice president at 3M Pharmaceuticals.
High-risk HPV is associated with 99.7% of cervical cancers. High-risk HPV types in women over 30 years of age are likely to be persistent high-risk infections and women with persistent infections are at greater risk for progressing to cervical cancer.
The HPV infection market has significant unmet medical needs, including a pharmacological treatment that accelerates regression and prevents progression of cervical HPV infections. 3M and Takeda’s IRM may improve clearance of HPV infection by boosting the immune response for those patients experiencing persistent infection.