Codexis and Takeda to Advance Novel Gene Therapies for Rare Genetic Disorders

Rare Daily Staff

Codexis has entered into a strategic collaboration and license agreement with Takeda Pharmaceutical to research and develop novel gene therapies for treatments of diseases including lysosomal storage disorders and blood factor deficiencies.

Under the terms of their agreement, Codexis will generate novel gene sequences encoding protein variants tailored to enhance efficacy as a result of increased activity, stability, and cellular uptake using its protein-engineering platform. Takeda will combine these improved transgenes with its gene therapy capabilities to generate novel candidates for the treatment of rare genetic disorders.

“Our CodeEvolver platform technology enables the rapid engineering of novel genetic sequences that encode more efficacious proteins,” said John Nicols, Codexis’ president and CEO. “The prospects of these improved sequences for the development of differentiated gene therapies for patients with rare diseases therefore holds great promise.”

Codexis and Takeda will begin collaborative work on three initial programs with Codexis responsible for the creation of novel enzyme sequences for advancement as gene therapies, and Takeda is responsible for the preclinical and clinical development and commercialization of gene therapy products resulting from the collaboration programs.

In addition to the three initial programs, Takeda may initiate up to four additional programs for separate target indications. 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 any of the programs.

Photo: John Nicols, Codexis’ president and CEO