Takeda to acquire Adaptate Biotherapeutics

Japan’s largest drugmaker Takeda Pharmaceutical (TYO: 4502) today announced the exercise of its option to acquire Adaptate Biotherapeutics, a UK company focused on developing antibody-based therapeutics for the modulation of variable delta 1 (Vδ1) gamma delta (γδ) T cells.

Through the acquisition, Takeda will obtain Adaptate’s antibody-based γδ T cell engager platform, including pre-clinical candidate and discovery pipeline programs. Adaptate’s γδ T cell engagers are designed to specifically modulate γδ T cell-mediated immune responses at tumor sites while sparing damage to healthy cells. Financial terms of the transaction were not revealed.

Third oncology “Build to Buy” deal announced in less than a year