Takeda and Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals, a Pasadena, California-based biopharmaceutical company, have entered into a collaboration and licensing agreement, in a deal worth up to $1.04 billion, to develop Arrowhead’s ARO-AAT, a RNA interference (RNAi) therapy. The drug is in Phase II development for treating alpha-1 antitrypsin-associated liver disease, a rare genetic disease associated with liver disease in children and adults and pulmonary disease in adults.

Under the agreement, Takeda and Arrowhead will co-develop ARO-AAT, which, if approved, will be co-commercialized in the US under a 50/50 profit-sharing structure. Outside of the US, Takeda will lead the global commercialization strategy and receive an exclusive license to commercialize ARO-AAT with Arrowhead eligible to receive tiered royalties of 20% to 25% on net sales. Arrowhead will receive an upfront payment of $300 million and is eligible to receive potential development, regulatory and commercial milestones up to $740 million. Closing of the transaction is contingent on completion of review under antitrust laws.

Source: Takeda and Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals