Takeda ends Affymax deal, to pull Omontys NDA

Takeda Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. (Tokyo:4502) is ending a 2006 deal with Affymax Inc. (OTCQB:AFFY) to co-develop and co-commercialize Omontys peginesatide, effective Sept. 10. The pharma said it also will withdraw an NDA in the U.S. for the once-monthly anemia drug. The moves come after Takeda said it was unable to identify the cause of postmarketing hypersensitivity reactions to Omontys, which led Affymax and Takeda to recall all lots of the drug last year. Takeda withdrew the MAA for Omontys in July 2013. The erythropoiesis-stimulating agent (ESA) uses pegylation technology from Nektar Therapeutics (NASDAQ:NKTR) (see BioCentury Extra, Feb. 25, 2013). ...