Codexis and Takeda Expand Collaboration to Additional Gene Therapy for a Rare Genetic Disorder

Codexis said it has expanded its strategic collaboration and license agreement with Takeda Pharmaceutical for the research and development of an additional gene therapy for a lysosomal storage disorder bringing the total number of programs under the agreement to four.

Photo: John Nicols, president and CEO of Codexis

Under the terms of the original March 2020 agreement, Codexis leveraged its CodeEvolver protein engineering platform to generate novel gene sequences encoding enzyme variants that are tailored to enhance efficacy by increasing activity, stability, and cellular uptake. Takeda is combining these improved transgenes with its gene therapy capabilities to develop novel candidates for the treatment of rare genetic disorders.

“Over the past year, our CodeEvolver technology has generated novel genetic sequences that encode more efficacious enzymes for the potential treatment of Fabry and Pompe Diseases, as well as an undisclosed blood factor deficiency. Codexis and Takeda are excited about the prospect for each of these improved sequences to enable differentiated gene therapies for patients with rare genetic diseases,” said John Nicols, Codexis’ president and CEO.

Under the terms of the original agreement, the parties began collaborative work on three initial programs. Takeda had the contractual option to expand the collaboration into a fourth program. Codexis is responsible for the creation of novel enzyme sequences for advancement as gene therapies into preclinical development. Takeda is responsible for the preclinical and clinical development and commercialization of gene therapy products resulting from the collaboration programs. Subject to the terms of the agreement, Codexis is eligible to receive an upfront payment, reimbursement for research and development fees, development, and commercial milestone payments, and low- to mid-single digit percentage royalties on sales of any commercial product developed through programs initiated under the agreement.

Author: Rare Daily Staff