United States-based Charles River has signed a multi-year drug discovery collaboration with Japan-based Takeda Pharmaceutical Company, it was reported yesterday.

Both firms will launch multiple integrated programs across Takeda's four core therapeutic areas, oncology, gastroenterology, neuroscience, and rare disease, with the ultimate goal of delivering preclinical candidates that Takeda can advance into clinical development. The companies say that the collaboration integrates Charles River's extensive integrated drug discovery expertise and deep scientific bench with Takeda's investments in human data and translation.

According to the terms of the contract, Takeda will pay Charles River a one-time, upfront fee to establish the collaboration. Charles River will be eligible to receive development payments with a potential value of more than USD50m per program in preclinical and clinical milestones for candidates that progress to registration. The contract also includes additional potential commercial milestones of up to USD120m plus royalties on launched products.