Takeda and AMAG partner on iron deficiency anaemia drug

Takeda has agreed a new licensing and development deal with AMAG Pharmaceuticals relating to Feraheme, a treatment for iron deficiency anaemia in chronic kidney disease patients.

Under the terms of the new deal, AMAG will take responsibility for the funding and execution of the further clinical development of the drug, which Takeda will then commercialise in global territories including Europe.

The drug has already been approved by US regulators, with a European Medicines Agency marketing application set to be submitted within the coming months.

Alan MacKenzie, executive vice-president of international operations and chief executive officer of Takeda Pharmaceuticals International, said the partnership will allow the treatment to maximise its market potential.

He added: “This partnership provides an exciting opportunity to combine AMAG’s unique development abilities with Takeda’s global commercialisation capabilities.”

Last month, the company paid a milestone fee of $20 million (13.4 million pounds) to Alnylam Pharmaceuticals after receiving documentation and materials as part of their collaboration on RNA interference therapeutics.