Takeda enters research partnership with Covance and Quintiles

Takeda is allying with contract research organisations (CROs) Covance and Quintiles to conduct a number of new drug development programmes.

The deal will see the CROs work with Takeda's pharmaceutical development division to execute global projects pertaining to compounds in an array of therapeutic areas, with the exception of oncology.

It will allow Takeda to take advantage of both organisations' clinical development capabilities and central laboratory services, thus helping to improve the efficiency of the projects.

Dr Robert Ahlbrandt, senior vice-president for global development operations at Takeda's pharmaceutical development division, said: "Our new strategic partnerships with Covance and Quintiles will improve the agility and productivity of our drug development activities, helping us to deliver innovative new medicines to patients globally."

Last month, the company announced the agreement of a new research and development alliance with Kyoto University that will focus on developing new drug targets and biomarkers for use in the treatment of schizophrenia and obesity.