Takeda to expand US operations with Syrrx buy

The merger will integrate Syrrx’s technologies and R&D pipeline into Takeda and establish a discovery research presence for Takeda in the US. This relationship is expected to help Takeda further enhance its R&D pipeline and to create more innovative drugs as early as possible through efficient discovery processes, including identification of target molecules, search for hit compounds and medicinal chemistry research.

Syrrx will become part of Takeda’s global discovery research network, together with Takeda’s existing discovery centers in Osaka and Tsukuba, Japan.

“We believe that compounds created by Syrrx will be successfully developed by Takeda under its global development organization, while our state-of-the-art technologies will contribute to enhancement of Takeda’s R&D pipeline,” said Stephen Kaldor, who will continue as president and chief scientific officer of Syrrx.

Syrrx focuses its drug discovery efforts on therapeutics to treat metabolic diseases, cancer, and inflammation, and has multiple R&D pipeline products, including several compounds directed to type 2 diabetes already in clinical development.

The merger is subject to clearance under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act and is to the satisfaction of other customary closing conditions. It is anticipated to close in the first quarter of 2005.