Takeda and Altos Therapeutics to develop new gastroparesis therapy

Takeda has partnered with Altos Therapeutics on the development of a new treatment for gastroparesis, a chronic gastric motility disorder.

The definitive agreement will see the companies working together to further the development of Altos' proprietary compound ATC-1906, with Takeda receiving an exclusive option to acquire Altos.

Future development of ATC-1906 will explore its benefits in the treatment of gastroparesis and its symptoms, which include delayed gastric emptying, early satiety, postprandial fullness, nausea, vomiting and abdominal discomfort.

Altos is a single-asset company dedicated to developing ATC-1906 as an oral dopamine D2/D3 receptor antagonist to address the symptoms of nausea and vomiting in gastroparesis patients.

Dr Asit Parikh, senior vice-president and head of Takeda's gastroenterology therapeutic area unit, said: "This agreement reinforces Takeda's commitment to developing highly differentiated medicines to improve the health and quality of life of patients around the world."

This comes after the firm recently allied with the TB Alliance on a project to investigate promising tuberculosis therapies through the Global Health Innovative Technology Fund.