A roundup of bio/pharmaceutical partnering news from Takeda/Degron Therapeutics and AstraZeneca/Nona Biosciences. 

* Takeda, Degron Therapeutics In $1.2-Bn Molecular Glue Degrader Pact 
* AstraZeneca, Nona Biosciences In $604-M mAb Pact 

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Takeda, Degron Therapeutics In $1.2-Bn Molecular Glue Degrader Pact 
Takeda and Degron Therapeutics, a Shanghai-based bio/pharmaceutical company, have entered into an agreement to discover and develop molecular glue degraders for multiple targets in oncology, neuroscience, and inflammation, in a deal worth up to $1.2 billion. 

Degron and Takeda will collaborate to use Degron’s GlueXplorer platform to identify, validate, and optimize molecular glue degraders for specific therapeutic targets selected by Takeda. Upon reaching a certain stage of advancement, the projects would be transitioned to Takeda for further development and commercialization. 

Under the agreement, Degron Therapeutics will receive an upfront payment and is eligible to receive potential future preclinical, clinical development and commercial milestone payments that could total $1.2 billion if all related milestones are achieved over the course of the agreement. Degron is also eligible to receive tiered royalty payments on sales of any potential commercialized products. The parties have the option to expand the collaboration to include more targets. Additionally, Takeda will make an equity investment in Degron. Degron Therapeutics will retain full ownership of its pipeline programs. 

Source: Degron Therapeutics 

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AstraZeneca, Nona Biosciences In $604-M mAb Pact 
AstraZeneca and Nona Biosciences, a Cambridge, Massachusetts-based company specializing in antibody discovery through preclinical research, have entered into a license agreement for preclinical monoclonal antibodies that will be used to create targeted therapies in oncology, in a deal worth up to $604 million ($19 million upfront and $585 million in milestone payments). 

Under the agreement, Nona Biosciences will receive $19 million upon completion of the transaction. Nona is eligible to receive an additional $10 million in potential near-term milestone payments and up to $575 million upon achieving specified development, regulatory, and commercial milestones, as well as tiered royalty payments on net sales. In addition, Nona is eligible to receive payments for the option programs should AstraZeneca exercise these options. 

Source: Nona Biosciences