Takeda is hosting an investor R&D Day today, starting at 8:30 a.m. JST in Tokyo. The event will highlight the company’s late-stage pipeline, focusing on its transformative potential for patients and the market opportunities these therapies present.
Christophe Weber, Takeda’s CEO, emphasized the company’s commitment to advancing its innovative pipeline. “We are focused on advancing our innovative pipeline and accelerating late-stage programs to deliver sustainable revenue growth to 2030 and beyond, building upon the strong momentum of our Growth and Launch Products,” Weber said. “The first three Phase 3 programs will report results in 2025, marking the beginning of a series of potential filings across various indications in the coming years.”
Late-Stage Pipeline Programs and Market Potential
Takeda’s late-stage pipeline includes a promising array of therapies: oveporexton (TAK-861), zasocitinib (TAK-279), rusfertide (TAK-121), mezagitamab (TAK-079), fazirsiran (TAK-999), and elritercept (TAK-226). Combined, these therapies have an estimated peak revenue potential ranging from $10 billion to $20 billion. Data from three Phase 3 programs are expected to read out in 2025:
- Oveporexton: This oral orexin receptor 2 agonist, which is being investigated as a potential best-in-class treatment, is expected to report Phase 3 results for narcolepsy type 1. If successful, it could set a new standard in narcolepsy treatment.
- Zasocitinib: An oral allosteric tyrosine kinase 2 (TYK2) inhibitor, zasocitinib is being evaluated in Phase 3 trials for psoriasis. This next-generation, highly selective therapy could offer a new approach for patients with moderate to severe psoriasis.
- Rusfertide: In collaboration with Protagonist Therapeutics, Takeda is developing rusfertide, an injectable hepcidin mimetic, for polycythemia vera. Phase 3 data for this program is also expected in 2025.
Takeda anticipates regulatory filings for these three programs to occur in fiscal years 2025 and 2026. Additionally, five more late-stage programs are expected to lead to filings between fiscal years 2027 and 2029:
- Zasocitinib in Psoriatic Arthritis: Building on its psoriasis trials, zasocitinib is being tested in psoriatic arthritis, with data expected in the coming years.
- Mezagitamab: An anti-CD38 antibody, mezagitamab aims to treat immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) and immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN) by rapidly depleting disease-causing immune cells.
- Fazirsiran: An RNA interference (RNAi) therapy, fazirsiran directly targets the misfolded protein Z-AAT, addressing alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency liver disease (AATD-LD).
- Elritercept: This investigational activin inhibitor is designed to treat anemia in patients with hematologic cancers such as myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS). Takeda recently signed a global licensing agreement with Keros Therapeutics for further development, manufacturing, and commercialization of elritercept, excluding mainland China, Hong Kong, and Macau. The agreement is still subject to customary closing conditions, including antitrust reviews.
Vision for R&D and Future Growth
Andy Plump, Takeda’s President of R&D, shared his excitement for the company’s expanding late-stage pipeline. “Takeda has established an exciting, late-stage pipeline of transformative therapies that we believe will deliver value to both our company and the patients we serve worldwide,” he said. “As we continue to scale our capabilities and maximize R&D investments, we are also progressing an exciting early-stage pipeline, supporting a cutting-edge research organization, and engaging in innovative business development to sustain Takeda’s future and meet significant unmet patient needs.”
2024 R&D Day Agenda
The R&D Day will feature several presentations from Takeda’s leadership team:
- A Global, Innovation-Driven Biopharmaceutical Company: Presented by Christophe Weber, President & CEO
- R&D Strategy and Pipeline Highlights: Presented by Andy Plump, President, Research and Development
- Neuroscience Focus: A deep dive into the orexin franchise, featuring Sarah Sheikh, Head of Neuroscience Therapeutic Area Unit and Head of Global Development, and Ramona Sequeira, President of Global Portfolio Division
- Gastrointestinal and Inflammation Focus: Presentations on zasocitinib, rusfertide, mezagitamab, and fazirsiran, featuring Chinwe Ukomadu, Head of Gastrointestinal and Inflammation Therapeutic Area Unit, and Ramona Sequeira
- Oncology Focus: A session on elritercept, highlighting Takeda’s recent business development deal, with Teresa Bitetti, President of Global Oncology Business Unit, and P.K. Morrow, Head of Oncology Therapeutic Area Unit
Takeda’s late-stage pipeline reflects a strategic effort to address significant unmet medical needs across multiple therapeutic areas. The company’s focus on accelerating these promising programs underscores its commitment to driving growth and delivering impactful treatments for patients worldwide.
