On November 12, 2026 Takeda (TSE:4502/NYSE:TAK) reported it will present research across a range of hematologic cancers and blood disorders at the 68th American Society of Hematology (ASH) (Free ASH Whitepaper) Annual Meeting, taking place December 12–15, 2026, in New Orleans, Louisiana. Data from more than 20 presentations will expand the body of evidence supporting Takeda’s approved and investigational medicines.
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"Our data at ASH (Free ASH Whitepaper) this year, including new analyses showing how MIMRYLO reduced symptom and treatment burden in polycythemia vera in clinical studies, focus on supporting a more patient-centered treatment experience," said Awny Farajallah, MD, FACP, Chief Medical Officer at Takeda. "These findings, alongside early insights on our investigational medicines elritercept and mezagitamab, reflect Takeda’s commitment to advancing science and evidence generation across hematologic cancers and blood disorders."
New Evidence in Hematologic Cancers Prioritizes Patient Experience Alongside Outcomes
Key presentations in oncology will feature new analyses of MIMRYLO (rusfertide), a first-in-class hepcidin mimetic approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of erythrocytosis in adults with polycythemia vera (PV). The data being presented at ASH (Free ASH Whitepaper) include an analysis demonstrating improvement in patient-reported symptoms and post hoc analyses of efficacy and safety outcomes across key patient subgroups. Real-world evidence on the burden of phlebotomy in PV, underscoring the need for alternative therapies, will also be presented.
Additionally, an oral presentation will feature data from the ongoing Phase 2 open-label ascending dose study (NCT04419649) evaluating elritercept (TAK-226), an investigational therapy being studied for anemia associated with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and myelofibrosis (MF). This analysis includes broad lower-risk MDS patient populations, including patients with ring sideroblast (RS)-negative disease and high transfusion burden. These data highlight the potential for elritercept to deliver durable responses and improve quality of life outcomes.
New Findings on Platelet Counts and PROs in a Rare, Immune-mediated Bleeding Disorder
Results from a post hoc analysis of Phase 2 data will highlight an association between platelet counts (≥100,000/µL) and beneficial patient-reported outcomes (PROs) in people living with persistent/chronic primary ITP. ITP is a rare immune-mediated bleeding disorder that causes low platelet counts and an increased risk of bleeding, which can have a debilitating impact on patients. The data are from a multicenter, randomized, double-blind study (NCT04278924) of mezagitamab, an investigational anti-CD38 monoclonal antibody. In the study, PROs were measured using the ITP Patient Assessment Questionnaire (ITP-PAQ), a validated disease-specific instrument to assess symptoms, function and health-related quality of life. Observations from the post hoc analysis indicate that platelet counts ≥100,000/μl were associated with higher scores on ITP-PAQ across multiple domains compared to platelets <30,000/μl, suggesting an association between higher platelet counts and better health-related quality of life.
Elritercept and mezagitamab are investigational medicines that have not been approved by any health authority.
Additional presentations will provide updated evidence for Takeda’s portfolio of approved treatments in lymphoma, leukemia and blood disorders.
MIMRYLO (rusfertide) IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS
New or Worsening Thrombocytosis: MIMRYLO may increase platelet counts in patients with PV. Platelet counts generally plateaued on treatment by Week 8. After initiating MIMRYLO and during dose modifications, monitor CBC every 2 to 4 weeks or as clinically indicated. Platelet elevations associated with MIMRYLO may require cytoreductive therapy initiation, modification, or MIMRYLO dose modifications or discontinuation.
Injection-Site Reactions: Injection site reactions (including Grade 3 reactions) have been reported in patients treated with MIMRYLO. The most common injection site reactions reported were erythema, pruritus, pain, and swelling. Use ice, topical corticosteroid creams, antihistamines or analgesics, as needed, to treat injection site pain and swelling.
Embryo-Fetal Toxicity: Based on findings from animal reproduction studies, MIMRYLO may cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. Advise patients to stop taking MIMRYLO if they become pregnant.
ADVERSE REACTIONS
The most common (>15%) adverse reactions were injection site reactions (56%) and anemia (16%).
USE IN SPECIFIC POPULATIONS
Lactation: Because of the potential for serious adverse reactions in the breastfed child, including impaired iron absorption, advise patients not to breastfeed during treatment with MIMRYLO and for 30 days after the final treatment.
Females and Males of Reproductive Potential
Pregnancy Testing: Prior to initiating MIMRYLO, pregnancy testing is recommended for females of reproductive potential.
Contraception: Advise female patients of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment with MIMRYLO and for at least 30 days after the final dose of MIMRYLO.
To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Takeda Pharmaceuticals at 1-844-662-8532 or the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch.
Please see MIMRYLO (rusfertide) full Prescribing Information.
About MIMRYLO (rusfertide)
MIMRYLO is a first-in-class subcutaneous treatment that mimics the action of hepcidin, a natural hormone that regulates iron homeostasis and erythrocytosis. By targeting the underlying mechanism of iron dysregulation in polycythemia vera, MIMRYLO aims to reduce excess red blood cell production and help patients maintain hematocrit control. MIMRYLO is administered once weekly via subcutaneous injection. Protagonist discovered MIMRYLO and led its development through Phase 3. Takeda has exclusive global development and commercialization rights for MIMRYLO.
About Elritercept
Elritercept is a novel investigational TGF-β ligand trap designed to restore effective hematopoiesis by addressing dysregulated activin signaling. Elritercept is currently being evaluated in three ongoing Phase 3 clinical trials: RENEW and ELRiSE MDS in patients with anemia associated with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), and ELRiSE MF in patients with anemia associated with myelofibrosis (MF). The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has granted Fast Track designation for the development of elritercept for very low-, low- and intermediate-risk MDS. Takeda holds rights to develop, manufacture and commercialize elritercept worldwide outside of mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau through an exclusive licensing agreement with Keros Therapeutics.
About Mezagitamab
Mezagitamab is an investigational, fully human anti-CD38 IgG1 monoclonal antibody that depletes cells with high CD38 expression, including plasma cells, plasmablasts and natural killer cells. In ITP, targeting these antibody-producing cells has the potential to reduce pathogenic autoantibody production, which may support improvements in platelet response and platelet counts to clinically meaningful levels. The safety and efficacy of mezagitamab is currently under investigation in a pivotal Phase 3 clinical trial. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has granted mezagitamab Orphan Drug Designation for the treatment of ITP, Fast Track Designation for chronic/persistent ITP and Breakthrough Designation for the treatment of adult patients with chronic ITP who have had an insufficient response to previous treatment.
(Press release, Takeda, NOV 12, 2026, View Source;utm_term=&utm_content=1033477&utm_id=9b2de23c-1b8d-432e-89da-925d65f93d07&sfmc_activityid=01bf63e4-57d1-4bca-96c8-9dad86fbb8f4&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=PressReleases_EN_Automated_Gray_700px_Email1&sfmc_journey_id=9b2de23c-1b8d-432e-89da-925d65f93d07&sfmc_journey_name=rPse_seRelsa_eNEL_naJ_uonrye2_20_4rPdo&sfmc_activity_id=01bf63e4-57d1-4bca-96c8-9dad86fbb8f4&sfmc_activity_name=rPseRsleaees_sNEA_tumotadeG_ar_y07p0_xmEia1l&sfmc_asset_id=1033477&sfmc_channel=email [SID1234674702])