Takeda plans to acquire GammaDelta for its solid tumor drug pipeline

Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Ltd. (TSE:4502/NYSE:TAK) is moving forward with its plan to acquire its collaborator GammaDelta Therapeutics Ltd. (London).

The acquisition is subject to customary closing conditions. Takeda projects that the deal will close in the first quarter of its fiscal year, which will end on June 30, 2022.

The acquisition would bolster Takeda’s immuno-oncology and immunotherapy portfolio. GammaDelta has experience working with gamma delta (γδ) T cells as potential therapies for solid tumors hematological malignancies.

GammaDelta had developed allogeneic variable delta 1 (Vδ1) gamma-delta (γδ) T cell therapy platforms. Those platforms encompass blood-derived and tissue-derived cells.

“We’re committed to developing cell therapies that will have an impact on large segments of patients by focusing on off-the-shelf, allogeneic cell therapies that are highly accessible and have the potential to address solid tumors,” Christopher Arendt, head of oncology cell therapy and therapeutic area unit of Takeda said in a statement.

Arendt went on to say that γδ T-cell therapy platforms “represent a differentiated approach to target both solid tumors and hematological malignancies.”

The company’s allogenic blood-derived GDX012 variable δ1 and γδ T-cell platform is the most mature in its pipeline.

Earlier this year, GammaDelta announced that FDA had authorized an investigational new drug application as a potential treatment for hematological malignancies.

FDA also granted orphan drug designation to allogeneic Vδ1 γδ T cell therapy (GDX012) to treat acute myeloid leukemia.

Takeda and GammaDelta Therapeutics have been working together since 2017. GammaDelta was founded in 2016.