United States-based Goldfinch Bio announced on Friday that it has signed a license agreement with Japan-based Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited for global rights to a preclinical, peripherally-restricted cannabinoid receptor 1 monoclonal antibody.

Goldfinch Bio will assume all development and commercialisation responsibilities for the treatment of rare and metabolic kidney diseases worldwide. The contract grants Takeda the option, prior to the start of pivotal studies, to request that Goldfinch Bio negotiates with Takeda for sub-licensing of Japanese rights to Takeda.

Financial terms of the deal were not revealed. Goldfinch Bio plans to file an investigational new drug application for this CB1 inhibitor, re-named GFB-024, in the second half of 2020.