TAK-438 Of Takeda Enters Phase II Clinical Trials

Takeda Pharmaceutical (Takeda) has reported that TAK-438, an acid-related diseases drug, has entered into Phase II clinical trials for the treatment of patients with reflux esophagitis in Japan.

TAK-438 is a potassium-competitive acid blocker that suppresses gastric acid secretion by inhibiting the binding of potassium ion (K+) to H+,K+-ATPase, it is a completely different mechanism of action from conventional proton pump inhibitors (PPIs). It is anticipated to have a more potent inhibitory effect on gastric acid secretion, a faster onset of action, and a longer lasting effect than PPIs.

Nancy Joseph Ridge, general manager of pharmaceutical development division at Takeda, said: “We expect TAK-438 to have greater acid suppression which may provide better clinical efficacy than PPIs which are widely used to treat acid-related diseases. We will continue the development of TAK-438 so that we might be able to offer it to patients as an optimal treatment option for the acid-related diseases, including reflux esophagitis, as quickly as possible.”