Keros Therapeutics Announces Global License Agreement with Takeda to Advance Elritercept

Rhea-AI Summary

Keros Therapeutics (NASDAQ: KROS) has entered into an exclusive global license agreement with Takeda for elritercept, a drug currently in Phase 2 clinical trials for myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and myelofibrosis (MF). Under the agreement, Takeda will obtain exclusive rights to develop, manufacture, and commercialize elritercept worldwide, except for mainland China, Hong Kong, and Macau. Keros will receive a $200 million upfront payment and is eligible for additional milestone payments potentially exceeding $1.1 billion, plus tiered royalties on net sales. The deal is expected to extend Keros' operational runway into Q4 2028.

Positive

• Secured $200 million upfront payment from Takeda
• Potential milestone payments exceeding $1.1 billion
• Additional revenue stream through tiered royalties on net sales
• Extended operational runway into Q4 2028
• Strategic partnership with major pharmaceutical company enhances development capabilities

Negative

• Loss of control over elritercept development and commercialization
• Geographic limitations excluding China, Hong Kong, and Macau markets
• Deal subject to HSR Act clearance creating execution uncertainty

Insights

Financial Analyst

This licensing deal marks a significant milestone for Keros, substantially strengthening its financial position. The $200 million upfront payment provides immediate capital injection, while potential milestone payments exceeding $1.1 billion plus tiered royalties create substantial long-term value potential. The deal extends operational runway into Q4 2028, providing important financial flexibility for pipeline development.

Partnering with Takeda, a major player in hematologic oncology, validates elritercept's commercial potential and reduces development risks. The agreement structure, covering worldwide rights outside Greater China, optimizes market opportunity while sharing development costs. This deal follows industry standards for late-stage assets, with the milestone structure incentivizing successful development and commercialization.

Medical Research Analyst

The partnership accelerates elritercept's development program, particularly significant given its ongoing Phase 2 trials in MDS and myelofibrosis, plus the upcoming Phase 3 RENEW trial. Takeda's expertise in hematologic oncology and established commercial infrastructure could expedite market penetration if approved. The focus on TGF-ß signaling pathway represents a novel therapeutic approach for treating blood disorders.

The retention of rights for other pipeline assets like cibotercept and KER-065 maintains Keros' potential in additional therapeutic areas while securing development funding through the Takeda deal. This balanced approach optimizes both near-term monetization and long-term growth potential.

Keros Therapeutics to receive upfront payment of $200 million and is eligible to receive development, approval and commercial milestone payments with the potential to exceed $1.1 billion and tiered royalties on net sales

LEXINGTON, Mass., Dec. 03, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Keros Therapeutics, Inc. (“Keros” or the “Company”) (Nasdaq: KROS), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing novel therapeutics to treat a wide range of patients with disorders that are linked to dysfunctional signaling of the transforming growth factor-beta (“TGF-ß”) family of proteins, today announced an exclusive global development and commercialization license agreement with Takeda (TSE:4502/NYSE:TAK) to advance elritercept. Elritercept is currently in two ongoing Phase 2 clinical trials; one in patients with very low-, low-, or intermediate-risk myelodysplastic syndrome (“MDS”) and one in patients with myelofibrosis (“MF”). The Phase 3 RENEW clinical trial evaluating elritercept in adult patients with transfusion-dependent anemia with very low-, low-, or intermediate-risk MDS will begin enrollment soon.

Under the terms of the agreement, Takeda will obtain an exclusive license to further develop, manufacture and commercialize elritercept worldwide outside of mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau. Takeda will be responsible for all development, manufacturing and commercialization as of the effective date of the agreement. Subject to the terms of the agreement, Keros will receive a $200 million upfront cash payment and is eligible to receive development, approval and commercial milestones with the potential to exceed $1.1 billion. Keros will also be eligible to receive tiered royalties on net sales.

“We are thrilled to announce this agreement with Takeda, a leader in the hematologic oncology treatment space,” said Jasbir S. Seehra, Ph.D., Chair and Chief Executive Officer of Keros. “We believe this global license further validates Keros’ position as a leader in understanding the role of the TGF-ß family of proteins and the broad potential of this biological pathway.”

“We believe Takeda is an ideal partner to maximize the potential of elritercept’s differentiated profile and continue to build on the great progress our team has accomplished with elritercept,” said Chris Rovaldi, President and Chief Operating Officer of Keros. “We expect that the net proceeds from the upfront payment will enable us to extend our operational runway into the fourth quarter of 2028, facilitating the continued advancement of cibotercept (KER-012) and KER-065, both of which are wholly-owned assets with near term clinical updates.”

“We are excited to partner with Keros, an accomplished team with exceptional expertise in TGF-ß biology,” said P.K. Morrow, Head of the Oncology Therapeutic Area Unit at Takeda. “Building on the promising results elritercept has shown in the clinic to date, we look forward to continuing to explore its potential and to having the opportunity to potentially deliver it to patients with hematologic disorders. This agreement aligns with our goal of advancing therapies that may shift the treatment paradigm for underserved patient populations.”

The effectiveness of the agreement is subject to clearance under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act (“HSR Act”).

About Elritercept

Elritercept is an engineered ligand trap comprised of a modified ligand-binding domain of the TGF-ß receptor known as activin receptor type IIA that is fused to the portion of the human antibody known as the Fc domain. Elritercept is being developed for the treatment of low blood cell counts, or cytopenias, including anemia and thrombocytopenia, in patients with MDS and in patients with MF.

About Keros Therapeutics, Inc.

Keros is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing novel therapeutics to treat a wide range of patients with disorders that are linked to dysfunctional signaling of the TGF-ß family of proteins. Keros is a leader in understanding the role of the TGF-ß family of proteins, which are master regulators of the growth, repair and maintenance of a number of tissues, including blood, bone, skeletal muscle, adipose and heart tissue. By leveraging this understanding, Keros has discovered and is developing protein therapeutics that have the potential to provide meaningful and potentially disease-modifying benefit to patients. Elritercept is being developed for the treatment of low blood cell counts, or cytopenias, including anemia and thrombocytopenia, in patients with MDS and in patients with MF. Cibotercept is being developed for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension and for the treatment of cardiovascular disorders. KER-065 is being developed for the treatment of obesity and for the treatment of neuromuscular diseases.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Statements contained in this press release regarding matters that are not historical facts are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended. Words such as “expect,” “enable,” “forward,” “potential” and “will” or similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Examples of these forward-looking statements include statements concerning: the expected upfront payment and other potential milestone and royalty payments and development activities under the license agreement, Keros’ expectations regarding the timing of enrollment for the Phase 3 RENEW clinical trial for elritercept, the potential benefits of elritercept, Takeda’s ability to further develop and advance elritercept, Keros’ expected cash runway, Keros’ ability to advance cibotercept and KER-065, and the clearance of the license agreement under the HSR Act. Because such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, among others: Keros’ limited operating history and historical losses; Keros’ ability to raise additional funding to complete the development and any commercialization of its product candidates; Keros’ dependence on the success of its product candidates, cibotercept, elritercept and KER-065; that Keros may be delayed in initiating, enrolling or completing any clinical trials; competition from third parties that are developing products for similar uses; Keros’ ability to obtain, maintain and protect its intellectual property; and Keros’ dependence on third parties in connection with manufacturing, clinical trials and preclinical studies.

These and other risks are described more fully in Keros’ filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), including the “Risk Factors” section of the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, filed with the SEC on November 6, 2024, and its other documents subsequently filed with or furnished to the SEC. All forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of the date on which they were made. Except to the extent required by law, Keros undertakes no obligation to update such statements to reflect events that occur or circumstances that exist after the date on which they were made.

Investor Contact:

Justin Frantz
jfrantz@kerostx.com
617-221-6042

FAQ

What are the financial terms of Keros Therapeutics (KROS) license agreement with Takeda?

Keros will receive a $200 million upfront payment and is eligible for development, approval, and commercial milestone payments potentially exceeding $1.1 billion, plus tiered royalties on net sales.

What territories are covered in the Keros (KROS) and Takeda license agreement for elritercept?

The agreement covers worldwide rights except for mainland China, Hong Kong, and Macau.

What clinical trials is elritercept currently involved in for Keros (KROS)?

Elritercept is in two Phase 2 trials for MDS and myelofibrosis, with a Phase 3 RENEW trial for transfusion-dependent anemia in MDS patients beginning soon.

How long will the $200 million upfront payment extend Keros' (KROS) operational runway?

The upfront payment is expected to extend Keros' operational runway into the fourth quarter of 2028.