Takeda licenses Affymax anemia product in Japan

The drug candidate, a synthetic, peptide-based, next-generation erythropoiesis-stimulating agent (ESA), is designed to stimulate the production of red blood cells. It is currently being evaluated in four phase II clinical trials in the US and Europe to treat anemia in chronic kidney disease (CKD) and cancer patients.

Takeda will pay Affymax $17 million as an up-front payment and will also purchase $10 million of Affymax’ stock. In addition, Affymax is eligible to receive clinical and regulatory milestone payments totaling $75 million.

After the launch of Hematide in Japan, Affymax would receive a double-digit royalty on Hematide sales in the territory.

Takeda is responsible for all development and commercialization costs in Japan, and Affymax is responsible for the manufacture and supply of drug substance to Takeda. Takeda then will manufacture the final commercial product for use in Japan.

“Hematide is a novel ESA that is an important product based on the evidence we have observed,” said Yasuchika Hasegawa, Takeda’s president and COO. “We are excited to aggressively move this promising new drug candidate forward to address a very large underserved patient population. I also believe this product will enhance our urological and cancer-related franchises, which we position as part of our core therapeutic areas.”