Prometheus Biosciences said its bioinformatics platform and advanced machine learning techniques will be used by Takeda Pharmaceutical as part of a global collaboration to develop up to three targeted inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) therapeutics with companion diagnostics.
The collaboration could generate up to $420 million for Prometheus in development, regulatory, and commercial milestone payments across all three programs, in addition to an undisclosed upfront payment.
The companies hope to combine Prometheus’ expertise in developing and commercializing precision therapeutics and companion diagnostics for gastroenterology and autoimmune disease indications, as well as Takeda’s know-how in gastroenterology and drug development.
Gastroenterology is one of Takeda’s three main therapeutic areas of focus, along with oncology and neuroscience, though the pharma’s pipeline also includes plasma-derived therapies, vaccines, and rare disease treatments.
“We are impressed with Takeda’s commitment to developing a portfolio of therapies to address all IBD patients, especially those with unmet needs,” Prometheus CEO Mark McKenna said in a statement. “We believe that a targeted, precision medicine approach is needed to deliver new, effective therapeutic options in inflammatory bowel disease.”
San Diego-based Prometheus focuses on combination precision therapeutics and companion diagnostics designed to address unmet needs in gastroenterology and autoimmune diseases. The company was formed after Precision IBD acquired Prometheus Laboratories from Nestlé Health Science for an undisclosed price in June—eight years after Nestlé shelled out $650 million to buy Prometheus Labs. Precision IBD combined itself with Prometheus Labs, then completed renaming it Prometheus Biosciences and named McKenna to head the new company on September 5.
Prometheus has agreed to oversee the identification and validation of three unique drug targets for IBD, along with the development and commercialization of companion diagnostics to complement the targeted drugs. Takeda has agreed to be responsible for all drug discovery, clinical development, and commercialization activities for the resulting targeted therapeutics.
In addition to the upfront and milestone payments, Prometheus is eligible to receive royalty payments on global commercial sales from each program.
