Takeda Licenses Selecta’s Technology to Develop Gene Therapies for Lysosomal Storage Disorders

Selecta Biosciences has entered into a strategic licensing agreement with Takeda Pharmaceutical to develop targeted, next-generation gene therapies for two indications within the field of lysosomal storage disorders.

Photo: Carsten Brunn, president and CEO of Selecta

The collaboration leverages Selecta’s immune tolerance platform ImmTOR, which enhances transgene expression and addresses adeno-associated virus vector immunogenicity constraints, to enable redosing of transformative therapies.

Selecta has generated preclinical evidence to support the potential for re-dosing patients receiving gene therapy. Selecta has reported that in preclinical studies, when used in combination with AAV gene therapy vectors, the ImmTOR platform inhibits the development of neutralizing antibodies to the vector, permitting re-dosing of the gene therapy.

“Takeda is an ideal partner to maximize the potential of our ImmTOR platform in gene therapy,” said Carsten Brunn, president and CEO of Selecta. “Their extensive capabilities as a global biopharmaceutical leader and expertise in rare diseases gives us a high degree of confidence that Selecta’s vision will be realized.”

Under the terms of the agreement, Selecta is entitled to receive an undisclosed upfront payment and up to $1.1 billion in future additional payments over the course of the partnership that are contingent on the achievement of development or commercial milestones or Takeda’s election to continue its activities at specified development stages. Selecta is also eligible for tiered royalties on future commercial sales.

“Partnerships are critical as we look to build differentiated gene therapy programs where we have the opportunity to combine novel platform technologies that each aim to solve the challenges associated with first-generation gene therapies,” said Madhu Natarajan, head of Takeda’s rare diseases drug discovery unit. “Selecta’s ImmTOR platform is designed to mitigate unwanted immune responses allowing for redosing, which could have broad applicability across our gene therapy programs for a range of diseases.”

Author: Rare Daily Staff