Takeda, Carmine Therapeutics in $900-M Pact for Non-Viral Gene Therapies

Takeda and Carmine Therapeutics, a Cambridge, Massachusetts-based biopharmaceutical company, have signed a research collaboration agreement to discover, develop and commercialize non-viral gene therapies for two rare disease targets, in a deal worth over $900 million (an undisclosed upfront payment and up to $900 million in total milestone payments).

Carmine Therapeutics is developing therapeutics using a red blood-cell extracellular vesicle (RBCEV) platform with an initial focus on non-viral gene therapies. The company says that compared to adeno-associated virus (AAV)-based gene therapy, RBCEV-based gene therapy has the potential for repeat dosing, a larger transgene payload capacity in excess of 11 KB, and enhanced bio-distribution in select tissues through RBCEV surface modification.

Under the agreement, Carmine will receive an upfront payment, research funding support, and is eligible for more than $900 million in total milestone payments plus tiered royalties. Takeda has an option to license the programs following the completion of preclinical proof-of-concept studies and would be responsible for clinical development and commercialization. Takeda has also led Carmine’s convertible note seed and funding round by extending a $5 million convertible loan to Carmine.

Source: Carmine Therapeutics

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