Takeda looks to digitise drug trials with Koneksa

Takeda is to establish ‘digital biomarkers’ to help improve its drug development via a new collaboration with real world data specialist Koneksa Health.

The deal will see Koneksa’s real world data software platform used to collect insights from the company’s wearables and biosensors which will be used in early stage clinical studies.

The intention is to remotely record previously difficult-to-obtain data, such as continuous vital signs, activity levels and sleep metrics, in order to help improve Takeda’s pipeline development.

“Working with Koneksa enables us to take advantage of technologies and expertise that provide access to novel data streams and make our clinical trials more patient-centric,” said Elena Izmailova, Senior Director of Novel Data Streams and Devices at Takeda. “Koneksa’s end-to-end solution allows us to collect this data in our studies using Koneksa’s sensors and devices.”

“Takeda has an exciting early pipeline of programmes as well as a deep commitment to ensuring that its therapies have the most meaningful impact to patients," said Chris Benko, chief executive of Koneksa. “This partnership provides Koneksa the opportunity to support the development of exciting medicines while broadening our bench of clinically validated sensor and device integrations.”

The deal is the biggest yet for New York-based Koneska, which was set up in 2015.

For Takeda, the deal continues its strategy of seeking digital innovations in R&D. It recently revealed funding for an early phase trial studying the effects of activity, sleep, and diet on inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The trial is integrating Litmus Health’s machine learning algorithms to help gather insights.