Takeda makes milestone payment to Affymax over Hematide development

Takeda has paid $5 million (3.3 million pounds) to its collaborative partner Affymax after achieving an important milestone in the development of the drug Hematide.

The payment has been received under the terms of the two companies’ collaboration after the drug, designed to treat anaemia associated with chronic renal failure, entered into phase III clinical testing.

A number of third-phase studies of the erythropoiesis stimulating agent have now been initiated, with results from the US programme expected to be reported in the second quarter of 2010.

Should Hematide be approved by regulators, Takeda will take responsibility for commercialising the drug in international territories, including the European Union.

It will be jointly commercialised in the US by both companies.

Last month, Takeda announced that it is moving into phase III testing of a new pramlintide/metreleptin combination therapy for obesity patients, a compound which has been developed in association with Amylin.