Takeda Terminates Partnership with Wave Life Sciences on Huntington’s Disease Program

Termination of Partnership:
Takeda has ended its partnership with Wave Life Sciences on the WVE-003 program for treating Huntington's disease, a collaboration that started in 2018.

Reason for Termination:
The reason for Takeda's withdrawal was not specified, but it comes after Wave's successful Phase Ib/IIa study showing WVE-003 significantly lowered mutant huntingtin protein levels and slowed brain atrophy.

Financial Impact:
Wave received approximately $260 million from Takeda under the agreement, including a $110 million upfront payment and a $60 million equity investment.

Future Plans:
Wave will now independently develop WVE-003 or seek new partners, with the program representing a potential $5 billion commercial opportunity.

Wave's Other Programs:
Wave continues to advance other pipeline programs, including successful RNA editing in humans for alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency and exon-skipping oligonucleotide for Duchenne muscular dystrophy.