Takeda Signs Option Agreement with Ascentage Pharma to Enter into Exclusive Global License for Olverembatinib, a Third-Generation BCR-ABL Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor (TKI)

Despite the impact TKIs have had in the treatment of patients with CML, there remains significant unmet need for patients whose disease is resistant or refractory to these therapies or who develop hard-to-treat mutations following these treatments.

“Takeda has a long history of driving important treatment advances for patients, particularly those with hematological cancers facing treatment gaps,” said Teresa Bitetti, president of the Global Oncology Business Unit at Takeda. “We are highly encouraged by the promising results olverembatinib has shown in the clinic to date and excited to have the opportunity to potentially further develop and deliver it to patients with chronic myeloid leukemia and other hematological cancers. This agreement aligns with our goal to support the advancement of both internal and external innovation to best serve patients.”

As part of the agreement, Ascentage Pharma will continue to be solely responsible for all clinical development of olverembatinib prior to potential exercise of the option to license. Olverembatinib is currently approved and marketed in China for the treatment of adult patients with TKI-resistant chronic-phase CML (CP-CML) or accelerated-phase CML (AP-CML) harboring the T315I mutation and in adult patients with CP-CML resistant to and/or intolerant of first- and second-generation TKIs.

"We are thrilled to enter into this agreement with Takeda, which would allow us to leverage the global commercial expertise of an organization with a proven track record and global oncology footprint to potentially broaden the impact olverembatinib could have on patients in need around the world,” said Dr. Dajun Yang, Chairman and CEO of Ascentage Pharma. “We have seen the impact olverembatinib has had on patients with CML in China and look forward to progressing development of olverembatinib in POLARIS-2, the global registrational Phase 3 study in previously treated adult patients with CP-CML with or without the T315I mutation.”

Under the terms of this agreement, Ascentage Pharma will receive an option payment of $100 million upon signing of the exclusive option to license agreement and will be eligible for an option exercise fee and additional potential milestone and royalty payments if Takeda exercises the option to license olverembatinib, with the exercise of the option being subject to customary regulatory approvals. Additionally, Ascentage Pharma will receive a minority equity investment from Takeda.

About Olverembatinib

Olverembatinib is an oral, third-generation BCR-ABL tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI). Olverembatinib is currently approved and marketed in China for the treatment of adult patients with TKI-resistant chronic-phase chronic myeloid leukemia (CP-CML) or accelerated-phase CML (AP-CML) harboring the T315I mutation and in adult patients with CP-CML resistant to and/or intolerant of first- and second-generation TKIs. Ascentage Pharma is investigating olverembatinib in multiple clinical studies in several types of cancer. Olverembatinib has been granted orphan drug designation and Fast Track designation by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and orphan designation by the European Medicines Agency (EMA).

About Takeda

Takeda is focused on creating better health for people and a brighter future for the world. We aim to discover and deliver life-transforming treatments in our core therapeutic and business areas, including gastrointestinal and inflammation, rare diseases, plasma-derived therapies, oncology, neuroscience and vaccines. Together with our partners, we aim to improve the patient experience and advance a new frontier of treatment options through our dynamic and diverse pipeline. As a leading values-based, R&D-driven biopharmaceutical company headquartered in Japan, we are guided by our commitment to patients, our people and the planet. Our employees in approximately 80 countries and regions are driven by our purpose and are grounded in the values that have defined us for more than two centuries. For more information, visit www.takeda.com.

Important Notice

For the purposes of this notice, “press release” means this document, any oral presentation, any question and answer session and any written or oral material discussed or distributed by Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited (“Takeda”) regarding this release. This press release (including any oral briefing and any question-and-answer in connection with it) is not intended to, and does not constitute, represent or form part of any offer, invitation or solicitation of any offer to purchase, otherwise acquire, subscribe for, exchange, sell or otherwise dispose of, any securities or the solicitation of any vote or approval in any jurisdiction. No shares or other securities are being offered to the public by means of this press release. No offering of securities shall be made in the United States except pursuant to registration under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or an exemption therefrom. This press release is being given (together with any further information which may be provided to the recipient) on the condition that it is for use by the recipient for information purposes only (and not for the evaluation of any investment, acquisition, disposal or any other transaction). Any failure to comply with these restrictions may constitute a violation of applicable securities laws.

The companies in which Takeda directly and indirectly owns investments are separate entities. In this press release, “Takeda” is sometimes used for convenience where references are made to Takeda and its subsidiaries in general. Likewise, the words “we”, “us” and “our” are also used to refer to subsidiaries in general or to those who work for them. These expressions are also used where no useful purpose is served by identifying the particular company or companies.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release and any materials distributed in connection with this press release may contain forward-looking statements, beliefs or opinions regarding Takeda’s future business, future position and results of operations, including estimates, forecasts, targets and plans for Takeda. Without limitation, forward-looking statements often include words such as “targets”, “plans”, “believes”, “hopes”, “continues”, “expects”, “aims”, “intends”, “ensures”, “will”, “may”, “should”, “would”, “could”, “anticipates”, “estimates”, “projects” or similar expressions or the negative thereof. These forward-looking statements are based on assumptions about many important factors, including the following, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements: the economic circumstances surrounding Takeda’s global business, including general economic conditions in Japan and the United States; competitive pressures and developments; changes to applicable laws and regulations, including global health care reforms; challenges inherent in new product development, including uncertainty of clinical success and decisions of regulatory authorities and the timing thereof; uncertainty of commercial success for new and existing products; manufacturing difficulties or delays; fluctuations in interest and currency exchange rates; claims or concerns regarding the safety or efficacy of marketed products or product candidates; the impact of health crises, like the novel coronavirus pandemic, on Takeda and its customers and suppliers, including foreign governments in countries in which Takeda operates, or on other facets of its business; the timing and impact of post-merger integration efforts with acquired companies; the ability to divest assets that are not core to Takeda’s operations and the timing of any such divestment(s); and other factors identified in Takeda’s most recent Annual Report on Form 20-F and Takeda’s other reports filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, available on Takeda’s website at: https://www.takeda.com/investors/sec-filings-and-security-reports/ or at www.sec.gov. Takeda does not undertake to update any of the forward-looking statements contained in this press release or any other forward-looking statements it may make, except as required by law or stock exchange rule. Past performance is not an indicator of future results and the results or statements of Takeda in this press release may not be indicative of, and are not an estimate, forecast, guarantee or projection of Takeda’s future results.

Medical Information

This press release contains information about products that may not be available in all countries, or may be available under different trademarks, for different indications, in different dosages, or in different strengths. Nothing contained herein should be considered a solicitation, promotion or advertisement for any prescription drugs including the ones under development.

Contacts

Media:
Japanese Media
Jun Saito
jun.saito@takeda.com

U.S. and International Media
Jennifer Anderson
jennifer.anderson@takeda.com