Takeda, Portal partner to develop needle-free biologics

Portal Instruments Inc. (Cambridge, Mass.) partnered with Takeda Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. (Tokyo:4502) to develop and commercialize Portal’s needle-free drug delivery device for use with Takeda’s investigational and approved biologics. The device delivers biologics through a pressurized liquid instead of a needle.

Entyvio vedolizumab, a humanized mAb against integrin alpha(4)beta(7), will be the first Takeda program to use the device. An IV formulation of Entyvio is marketed to treat ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease. A subcutaneous formulation of Entyvio is in Phase III testing for the indications...