Takeda and Abingworth commit up to $100 million to accelerate GammaDelta Therapeutics-led Research and Development

Takeda and GammaDelta Therapeutics collaborate to advance tissue-derived gamma delta (γδ) T cells

‘The pioneering research developed by Professor Adrian Hayday and Dr. Oliver Nussbaumer at King’s College London and the Francis Crick Institute, the scientific founders of our company, forms the basis for the development of potentially transformational treatments for cancer and autoinflammatory diseases,’ said Dr Paolo Paoletti, MD, CEO of GammaDelta Therapeutics. ‘We believe the collaboration with Takeda validates our novel approach and should allow us to move rapidly to the clinic.’ Patents filed by King’s College London were licensed to GammaDelta Therapeutics during the company’s initial spin-out.

Takeda, together with Abingworth, will commit up to $100 million in funding to accelerate GammaDelta Therapeutics led Research and Development. The funding includes an equity investment, an option fee and research and development funding, and provides Takeda the exclusive right to purchase GammaDelta Therapeutics. Under the agreement, Takeda will appoint a director to GammaDelta Therapeutics’ board.

‘At Takeda, we recognize the enormous potential of tissue resident γδ T cells to deliver transformative medicines in our core therapeutic areas of oncology and gastroenterology,’ said Daniel Curran, MD, Head of the Center for External Innovation, Takeda. ‘This collaboration is another example of our strategy to invest in highly innovative areas of science and we’re pleased to collaborate with the experienced team at GammaDelta Therapeutics as they aim to take a leadership position in this rapidly emerging field.’

‘We are delighted by the progress GammaDelta Therapeutics has made since we founded the company in 2016,’ said Tim Haines, Managing Partner at Abingworth and a Director at GammaDelta Therapeutics. ‘This collaboration with Takeda will enable the company to advance the development of this exciting technology, which has the potential to address significant unmet needs in cancer and autoinflammatory diseases.’

‘This strategic collaboration is an exciting investment into a company that has its roots at King’s College London. Professor Hayday’s and Dr. Nussbaumer’s research upon which GammaDelta Therapeutics is based was undertaken at King’s College London as well as the Francis Crick Institute with funding obtained from various funding bodies, including Cancer Research UK and the Biomedical Research Centre. It’s gratifying to see that GammaDelta Therapeutics have managed to secure such strong investment to accelerate their R&D and enable this technology to develop into potentially transformative medicines,’ Dr Mike Shaw, Director of IP & Licensing, King’s College London.

Takeda signed certain of the agreements with GammaDelta Therapeutics through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Millennium Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Founded in 2016, GammaDelta Therapeutics is developing the potential of gamma delta (γδ) cells to create improved immunotherapy of cancer and other serious diseases. The company plans to exploit unique properties of tissue resident γδ T cells for effective immunotherapy.