Ropes & Gray Represents Takeda in JCR Pharma Collaboration to Commercialize Hunter Syndrome Therapy

Ropes & Gray advised Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited in an exclusive collaboration and license agreement with JCR Pharmaceuticals Co., Ltd. to commercialize JR-141 for the treatment of Hunter syndrome. JR-141 is a potentially transformative therapy designed to deliver proteins to the brain and peripheral tissues. The transaction was announced on September 30. 

Under the agreement, Takeda will exclusively commercialize JR-141 outside the U.S., excluding Japan and certain other Asia-Pacific countries. JCR will receive an upfront payment for the ex-U.S. license, and is eligible to receive additional development and commercial milestones as well as tiered royalties on potential sales. In addition, as part of the transaction, Takeda also received an option under a separate agreement to acquire an exclusive license to commercialize JR-141 in the U.S. upon completion of the Phase 3 program. 

The Ropes & Gray team was led by IP transactions partner Hannah England (Freeman) (Boston) and included IP transactions partner David McIntosh, antitrust partner Mike McFalls (Washington, D.C.), litigation & enforcement partner Ruchit Patel (London) and litigation & enforcement counsel Deidre Johnson (Boston).