Takeda Pharmaceutical has acquired an exclusive global license, worth up to $420 million, from Chicago-based COUR Pharmaceutical Development Company for developing and commercializing an investigational medicine for treating celiac disease.

The investigational medicine, CNP-101/TAK-101 is an immune-modifying nanoparticle containing gliadin proteins. Based on COUR’s antigen-specific immune-tolerance platform, TAK-101 is a potential first-in-class treatment targeting the aberrant immune response in celiac disease, an autoimmune disease where the ingestion of gluten leads to inflammation and damage in the small intestine.

COUR is eligible to receive up to $420 million in future payments and royalties on sales of any commercialized products resulting from the license.

Takeda says it intends to initiate a dose-ranging study to further explore the potential of TAK-101 in the treatment of patients with celiac disease on a gluten-free diet to inform future registrational trials.

Source: Takeda Pharmaceuticals