Morphotek Acquires TMI Tumor Targeting Assets

Morphotek, Inc., a subsidiary of Eisai Inc., has acquired certain assets to a tumor-targeting platform from TransMolecular, Inc. (TMI) for an undisclosed upfront payment and development milestones. The tumor-targeting peptide (TTP) platform delivers conjugated radionucleotides, chemotoxins, nanoparticles and optical dyes to tumor cells via systemic administration. The TTP technology has been validated in multiple preclinical and clinical trials demonstrating tumor-specific delivery of conjugated TTP.

“While we are enthusiastic about the current technologies being utilized throughout our Eisai Product Creation Systems (EPCS) network to support our near-term pipeline goals, our strategy is to continue to pursue access to new cutting-edge technologies that will enable us to further support our current and future pipeline objectives to develop highly innovative medicines to address the needs of patients with serious illnesses, said Mr. Hideki Hayashi, chief product creation officer of Eisai Co., Ltd.“The acquisition of the TMI tumor targeting platform is yet another step in our evolution to become a leader in developing disease-specific compounds that can target disease cells and/or treat the underlying cause of a targeted disease.”

Morphotek and Eisai will have exclusive ownership of TTP for therapeutic and diagnostic uses. Morphotek plans to pursue the TTP platform through collaboration with other EPCS units to develop TTP conjugates to treat a variety of cancers.