Takeda and Ovid Therapeutics announce paediatric epilepsy partnership

Takeda has announced a new partnership with Ovid Therapeutics to create treatments for children with rare forms of epilepsy.

The global collaboration will focus on the clinical development and commercialisation of Takeda's investigational new drug TAK-935 – a novel, potent and highly selective CH24H inhibitor – in rare paediatric epilepsies.

Several phase I clinical studies of the drug have already been completed, with phase Ib/IIa trials now set to commence to evaluate its performance in the treatment of epileptic encephalopathies where patients continue to suffer from significant unmet medical needs.

These conditions include Dravet syndrome, Lennox-Gastaut syndrome and tuberous sclerosis complex, which often present in infancy and cause significant lifelong morbidities for patients and their families.

Under the terms of the deal, Takeda has received equity in Ovid and will lead the commercialisation of the drug in Japan, with an option to lead in Asia and other selected geographies. Ovid will take the lead in the US, Europe, Canada and Israel. 

Emiliangelo Ratti, head of the central nervous system therapeutic area for Takeda Pharmaceuticals, said: "This agreement is a prime example of our commitment to partnering select development programmes with prominent companies that will enable us to remain at the leading edge of innovation."

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