American, Japanese companies partner to research possible treatments for celiac disease.
+ Technology/Innovation
Jamie Barrand | Dec 15, 2015

Celiac disease at center of Takeda, Cour research partnership

Japan-based Takeda Pharmaceutical Co. and U.S.-based Cour Pharmaceutical Development Co. are working together to study and develop new therapies for patients living with celiac disease.

Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder that affects the small intestine. It is caused by a reaction to the gluten protein, which is found in wheat. When those with celiac disease ingest this protein, the tissue of their small bowels becomes inflamed, which inhibits the absorption of nutrients in the body.

To date, the only way to manage celiac disease is with a gluten-free diet. Scientists from Cour and Takeda, however, will use Cour's Tolerizing Immune Modifying nanoParticle (TIMP) platform as a basis for the development of treatment that could allow celiac patients to tolerate gluten consumption.

“Cour is very pleased to be partnering with Takeda, and our collaboration marks an important breakthrough in the development of therapies for patients suffering from celiac disease,” John Puisis, CEO and co-founder of Cour, said. “Takeda is the ideal partner based on the company’s strong foundation in gastroenterology and expertise in the discovery and development of therapies meeting unmet needs in patients suffering from gastrointestinal diseases.”

Takeda's main focus is pharmaceuticals.

“As a global leader in gastroenterology, Takeda is committed to the discovery and development of treatments and products to improve the health of patients with gastrointestinal disorders,” Dr. Gareth Hicks, head of Takeda’s Gastroenterology Drug Discovery Unit, said. “In line with our GI drug discovery unit’s focus on building partnerships with groups developing highly novel therapeutic approaches to the treatment of GI diseases, we are excited to initiate this significant collaboration with Cour to create potential new and innovative therapies to meet the substantially unmet needs of these patients.”

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