Takeda acquires rights for drug to treat cervical dysplasia, HPV

Japanese pharmaceutical company Takeda on Friday announced that it has acquired from 3M the rights for a drug, called R-851, to treat cervical dysplasia and "high-risk" human papillomavirus infection, Reuters reports (Reuters, 3/30).

R-851 is in a class of drugs known as immune-response modifier compounds, which stimulate the body's immune system to fight off tumor cells and virus-infected cells.

Takeda and 3M in March 2005 announced a partnership to develop the drug (Kaiser Daily Women's Health Policy Report, 3/3/05).

Takeda on Friday said it did not pay anything for development and marketing rights to R-851 -- which currently is in Phase II clinical trails in the U.S. and Europe -- but 3M will receive development milestone payments and royalties if the drug reaches that market (Reuters, 3/30).

"We are very pleased with this new agreement," Takeda President Yasuchika Hasegawa said in a release, adding, "We now have complete responsibility for the R-851 program, which expands our opportunity with this novel treatment for HPV infection."

He added that the company will "vigorously conduct development activities" to launch the drug as soon as possible (Takeda release, 3/30).