Keros Therapeutics, Inc. has announced a significant global license agreement with Takeda for the advancement of elritercept, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical. As part of the agreement, Takeda will make an upfront payment of $200 million to Keros. Additionally, Keros stands to receive development, approval, and commercial milestone payments, with the potential to exceed $1.1 billion. Furthermore, Keros will be eligible for tiered royalties on net sales.
Elritercept is currently undergoing two ongoing phase 2 clinical trials, one in patients with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and another in patients with myelofibrosis (MF). Notably, the phase 3 renew clinical trial for elritercept in adult patients with transfusion-dependent anemia with very low-, low-, or intermediate-risk MDS is set to commence enrollment soon.
The agreement grants Takeda the exclusive license to further develop, manufacture, and commercialize elritercept worldwide, with the exception of mainland China, Hong Kong, and Macau. Takeda will assume responsibility for all development, manufacturing, and commercialization as of the effective date of the agreement.
Keros has expressed its excitement about the partnership with Takeda, emphasizing Takeda's position as a leader in the hematologic oncology treatment space. The company anticipates utilizing the net proceeds from the upfront payment to extend its operational runway into the fourth quarter of 2028, facilitating the continued advancement of its other assets, including cibotercept (ker-012) and ker-065, both of which are wholly-owned with near-term clinical updates.
The agreement is subject to clearance under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act. Keros Therapeutics, Inc. is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing novel therapeutics to treat patients with disorders linked to dysfunctional signaling of the transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-ß) family of proteins. As a result of these announcements, the company's shares have moved 9.1% on the market, and are now trading at a price of $61.91. If you want to know more, read the company's complete 8-K report here.
