LEXINGTON, Mass. – Keros Therapeutics, Inc., a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company, has entered into a global license agreement with Japanese pharmaceutical giant Takeda for the development and commercialization of elritercept, a novel therapeutic candidate. Under the terms of the agreement announced today, Keros will receive a $200 million upfront payment and could potentially gain over $1.1 billion in milestone payments, along with tiered royalties on net sales. The deal adds to Takeda's robust portfolio, with the company currently valued at $44 billion and generating annual revenues of $31.6 billion. According to InvestingPro analysis, Takeda maintains a strong gross profit margin of 66%.
Elritercept is currently being evaluated in Phase 2 clinical trials for patients with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and myelofibrosis (MF). The forthcoming Phase 3 RENEW clinical trial for elritercept will target adult patients with transfusion-dependent anemia associated with MDS.
Takeda will take over the responsibility for the development, manufacturing, and commercialization of elritercept outside of mainland China, Hong Kong, and Macau. Keros's agreement with Takeda is contingent on clearance under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act.
Jasbir S. Seehra, Ph.D., Chair and Chief Executive Officer of Keros, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership with Takeda, citing it as a validation of Keros's leadership in understanding TGF-β protein signaling and the potential of elritercept. Chris Rovaldi, President and Chief Operating Officer of Keros, anticipates that the upfront payment will extend the company's operational runway into the fourth quarter of 2028, aiding in the advancement of their other clinical assets, cibotercept (KER-012) and KER-065. Takeda's financial position appears solid, with InvestingPro data showing a "GREAT" overall financial health score and attractive dividend yield of 4.76%. The company's P/E ratio stands at 22.65, suggesting reasonable valuation metrics for the pharmaceutical sector.
On Takeda's side, P.K. Morrow, Head of the Oncology Therapeutic Area Unit, highlighted the promising results of elritercept in clinical studies and their commitment to exploring its potential for patients with hematologic disorders.
Keros specializes in therapeutics addressing disorders linked to dysfunctional TGF-β signaling, which plays a critical role in tissue growth, repair, and maintenance. Their product pipeline includes treatments for cytopenias like anemia and thrombocytopenia, pulmonary arterial hypertension, cardiovascular disorders, obesity, and neuromuscular diseases.
The information in this article is based on a press release statement from Keros Therapeutics, Inc. For deeper insights into Takeda's financial metrics and investment potential, including over 30 additional financial indicators and exclusive ProTips, visit InvestingPro.
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