Biotech Values

[DewDiligence]

More on TAK-279 vs Sotyktu:

https://www.biopharmadive.com/news/takeda-tyk2-psoriasis-study-results-aad-nimbus/645291/

Three months ago, Japanese pharmaceutical giant Takeda paid a biotechnology startup [Nimbus Therapeutics] $4 billion for an experimental drug in one of the largest deals of its kind in industry history. On Saturday, Takeda revealed clinical trial results that show why it was willing to write such a large check.

…Last September, the Food and Drug Administration made Sotyku the first TYK2 inhibitor approved, clearing it for psoriasis. Notably, the agency didn’t require warnings for potentially serious safety risks associated with another similar group of oral autoimmune disease drugs. The regulator also didn’t mandate that patients first try biologic drugs, boosting the market opportunity for TYK2 blockers.

…Two months after Sotyktu’s approval, Nimbus declared success in its Phase 2 trial and shared the findings confidentially with a wide group of drugmakers. A bidding war ensued that Takeda won, [TAK’s CSO and Nimbus’ CEO] told BioPharma Dive. The data shared Saturday for the first time reveal in detail what those companies were bidding on.

…Takeda is betting heavily on the drug’s future as a result. The company is planning Phase 3 studies in psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis next year as well as a head-to-head trial against Sotyktu. It’s also considering mid-stage studies in lupus, Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, and a team is looking into other diseases to target too…