Samsung Bioepis signs R&D agreement with Takeda
Samsung Bioepis is to broaden its research into novel pharmaceuticals with a new R&D agreement with Takeda.
Samsung Bioepis is a joint venture between South Korea’s Samsung and Biogen, and has already made its name with a series of biosimilars, cheaper near-copies of biologic drugs, since its establishment in 2012.
The new agreement with Takeda suggests the company is hoping to move into a new area. Meanwhile, Takeda is investing in its pipeline after a period of restructuring under CEO Christophe Weber, who joined in 2014.
In a statement the companies said the collaboration will cover development on TAK-671, a drug candidate intended to treat severe acute pancreatitis.
The terms of the collaboration were not disclosed - Samsung Bioepis said the risk-sharing partnership combines its biologics development expertise with Takeda’s drug development experts.
Samsung Bioepis CEO, Christopher Hansung Ko, said: "Takeda’s extensive knowledge and expertise in drug development makes the company an ideal partner for us as we open a new chapter at Samsung Bioepis.”
"Five years ago, we entered the biopharmaceutical industry with a strong determination to transform the way therapies are brought to patients by replacing legacy processes with new and innovative ones.”
“Together with Takeda, we look forward to realising this vision by accelerating the development of effective therapies for patients who are currently without a viable treatment option."
Daniel Curran, head of the Centre for Innovation at Takeda, said: “At Takeda, we think differently – and creatively – about what makes a partnership successful and look to build on our strengths by collaborating with partners who have complementary expertise.”
“This collaboration with Samsung Bioepis does that, by combining our unique capabilities in development and manufacturing along with fresh and innovative clinical approaches, we will maximize the potential for successful introduction of important medicines to patients."
