Takeda, 3M in HPV Treatment Development Deal

Leading Japanese drugmaker and US diversified technology company 3M have agreed a joint development and marketing deal for a potential topical treatment for Human Papillomavirus (HPV) infection and cervical dysplasia. Under the deal, the two companies will co-market the treatment in the US and EU, with Takeda to retain exclusive rights in Japan and some Asian countries and 3M holding the rights for the rest of the world. Financial details were undisclosed.

The potential therapy, currently in Phase I trials, is an immune response modifier developed by 3M, which already markets Aldara (imiquimod) cream using a similar active ingredient.

Assuming the two companies can develop a successful product, the potential market is likely to be extensive, as HPV is the cause of cervical cancer in 99.7% of cases. US drug major Merck and UK-based GlaxoSmithKline recently agreed a royalty-sharing deal on a potential blockbuster vaccine for the virus, although some observers had speculated that the two companies would have difficulty persuading health authorities in developed markets to conduct a mass immunisation programme.