Takeda Pharma in three year research pact with Envoy

Under the contarct, using Envoy’s proprietary bacTRAP technology, its scientists will identify proteins that are selectively expressed in specific cell types within the brain that are known to be affected in patients with schizophrenia.

Additionally, the scientists from both the companies are expected to evaluate and select those proteins that hold the potential for therapeutic modulation.

As per the terms of the agreement, Takeda is expected to pay a sum of $3m as an upfront payment as well as provide $2.25m per year in research funding and fees.

In addition, Envoy will receive potential progress-dependent milestone payments and royalties should one or more compounds advance to clinical development and commercialization.

Envoy co-founder Paul Greengard said that they are enthusiastic about collaborating with Takeda on this comprehensive effort to create novel, superior therapies for the millions of patients suffering from schizophrenia.

Takeda Pharma board member, executive vice president and chief scientific officer Shigenori Ohkawa said that using their research sites in the UK, Singapore and Japan, this collaboration with Envoy offers the potential for Takeda to develop entirely new classes of therapeutics to treat the devastating effects of schizophrenia where there is a high unmet need for patients.

"The novel drug targets we will identify and pursue are a key focus of Takeda’s stated mission of contributing to the health of patients worldwide," Ohkawa said.