Takeda and Merck KGaA discontinue development of matuzumab

Takeda Pharmaceutical has announced that it and its partner have opted to cease their joint development of matuzumab as a result of the clinical findings relating to the compound to date.

Matuzumab, with the development code EMD72000, is a recombinant humanised monoclonal antibody against the human epidermal growth factor receptor that is connected to the progression and development of a number of solid tumours in humans.

The companies had previously entered into a co-development and commercialisation agreement relating to the compound in September 2005 covering markets including Japan, the US and Europe.

“Under the joint development program with Merck, matuzumab has been investigated in Phase II clinical trials in indications such as metastatic colorectal cancer, gastric cancer, and non-small cell lung cancer,” Takeda reports.

The company adds that the compound did not meet its predefined clinical endpoints of activity for these indications.

Earlier this month, Takeda announced that it had signed an exclusive agreement to collaborate on up to 13 clinical candidates from Amgen.

Products covered in this deal are in the early to middle stages of clinical development and across a number of therapeutic areas, including inflammation, pain and oncology.