Takeda Pharmaceutical and Shattuck Labs have entered into a research collaboration to explore and develop checkpoint fusion proteins that have the potential to become highly differentiated, next-generation immunotherapies. Under the terms of the collaboration agreement, Takeda will hold options for exclusive global development and commercialization rights for up to four molecules resulting from the collaboration.

Shattuck Lab’s Agonist Redirected Checkpoint (ARC) platform combines two binding domains to create fusion proteins that potentially restore and enhance immune system function in a single construct. The ARC molecules block checkpoint molecules while simultaneously stimulating TNF superfamily co-stimulatory receptors on T-cells and innate cells, which are targets controlling the immune system and often dysregulated in cancers, thereby enabling combination immunotherapy with a single product.

"Shattuck Labs has pioneered the unique ARC platform, and we are excited about the opportunity this collaboration presents to develop groundbreaking, next-generation immuno-oncology treatments," said Christopher Arendt, Ph.D., Head, Oncology DDU & Immunology Unit, Takeda. "Research partnerships are a key aspect of our continued dedication to oncology innovation, and this collaboration will bring us closer to our goal of discovering, developing and delivering breakthrough oncology therapies.”

The collaboration will include two preclinical and four discovery stage programs. Takeda will provide funding for pre-clinical and clinical development and will have the option to take an exclusive license to further develop and commercialize up to four ARC molecules resulting from the collaboration. Additional terms of the collaboration are not disclosed.

“Takeda shares our passion and mission to develop and advance novel therapies in oncology, with the goal of achieving better clinical outcomes in patients,” said Josiah Hornblower, Chairman and CEO of Shattuck Labs. "We are very excited to work with Takeda, a proven leader in oncology, to continue to validate the ARC technology.”

Takeda signed the collaboration agreement through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Millennium Pharmaceuticals.