Core Products

Upgrading the Pipeline by Focusing Resources on Core Therapeutic Areas

Previously Takeda has focused on the four core therapeutic areas of Lifestyle-Related diseases (Metabolic & CV), Oncology and Urological diseases, Central Nervous System (CNS) diseases, and Gastroenterological diseases. The drug markets for some of these areas have matured in recent years for various reasons, despite our strong market presence. For instance, in areas such as hypertension and gastroenterological diseases, patient satisfaction with therapies has risen and market segments have matured, making it increasingly difficult for new drugs to be approved unless they are clearly differentiable from existing products.
In addition, the historically stable growth in the value of these markets will be difficult to maintain with the impending patent expiration of many leading pharmaceutical compounds. Nonetheless, even if we do not currently have a significant presence in them, there exist therapeutic areas with a high degree of unmet medical needs and major growth potential where we can leverage our accumulated R&D expertise. From this perspective, we are focusing on those areas where we can contribute either to disease prevention or cure. We are concentrating management resources on the core therapeutic areas of Metabolic (diabetes, obesity) , Oncology, CNS diseases and Immunology / Inflammatory.

Core Therapeutic Area

Core Products (Ethical Drugs)

■Metabolic (Diabetes and Obesity)

For Type 2 Diabetes
Pioglitazone Hydrochloride

A once-daily dose of type 2 diabetes treatment pioglitazone hydrochloride improves insulin sensitivity and reduces blood glucose levels, without placing an additional burden on the pancreas. The drug is marketed in around 100 countries worldwide. A fixed-dose combination tablet of pioglitazone hydrochloride and glimepiride are also marketed.

FY2010 net sales ¥387.9 billion

●In-house sales regions: Japan, U.S., Europe and Asia
Brand Names: Actos (Japan, U.S., Europe, Asia), Glustin (Europe)

For Hypertension
Candesartan Cilexetil

Candesartan cilexetil is an angiotensin II receptor blocker^* (ARB) for hypertension treatment. A once-daily dosing provides patients with a long lasting mild anti-hypertensive effect. Candesartan cilexetil is marketed in around 90 countries worldwide, and enjoys a trusted reputation in the medical profession in each country. Candesartan cilexetil also has an indication for the treatment of chronic heart failure. In addition, a fixed-dose combination with a diuretic agent is also marketed in around 60 countries for hypertension.

^* Angiotensin II receptor blocker: blocks the action of angiotensin II, a hormone that increases blood pressure.

FY2010 net sales ¥218.0 billion

●In-house sales regions: Japan, Europe and Asia
Brand Names: Blopress (Japan, Europe, Asia), Amias, Kenzen, etc. (Europe)

For Type 2 Diabetes
Alogliptin Benzoate

Originally discovered by Takeda San Diego, Inc., this type 2 diabetes treatment alogliptin has a novel mechanism of action. It lowers blood glucose levels by inhibiting an enzyme (DPP-4) that breaks down glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), a hormone that stimulates secretion of insulin.

FY2010 net sales ¥1.6 billion

●In-house sales regions: Japan
Brand Names: NESINA (Japan)

■Oncology

For Prostate Cancer, Breast Cancer and Endometriosis
Leuprorelin Acetate

Leuprorelin acetate is an LH-RH agonist with a sustained-release formulation to which we devoted the results of our drug delivery system (DDS) research. It is marketed in around 80 countries worldwide and is considered a gold standard therapy for prostate cancer. Its sustained-release injectable formulation, available up to once every six months, has also been marketed in Europe.

FY2010 net sales ¥116.4 billion

●In-house sales regions: Japan, Europe and Asia
Brand Names: Leuplin (Japan), Enantone, etc. (Europe, Asia)

For Multiple Myeloma
Bortezomib

Discovered by Millennium, bortezomib is the only drug for treating multiple myeloma (MM) that has overall survival benefit data included within its prescribing information in the U.S. Approved in more than 90 countries around the world, it is indicated in Europe and the U.S. as a first-line treatment for MM patients that have not undergone chemotherapy.

FY2010 net sales ¥50.8 billion

●In-house sales regions: U.S.
Brand Names: VELCADE (U.S.)

For Cancer
Panitumumab

In-licensed from Amgen Inc., panitumumab is an anti-EGFR human monoclonal antibody^* that inhibits epidermal growth factor receptors (EGFR). Inhibiting EGFR function supresses tumor growth.

^* A genetically engineered artificial human antibody, which selectively targets cancer cells and stimulates the immune system.

FY2010 net sales ¥9.4 billion

●In-house sales regions: Japan
Brand Names: Vectibix (Japan)

■Central Nervous System (CNS) Diseases

For Insomnia
Ramelteon

Ramelteon has a different mechanism of action to conventional insomnia treatments. It acts on melatonin* receptors to induce a state close to physiologically natural sleep. Since the drug promotes sleep without needing to suppress anxiety or sedate the user it is expected to show an established safety profile.

^* Melatonin is the hormone that induces sleep; it regulates the circadian rhythms that govern when we sleep and wake.

●In-house sales regions: Japan, U.S. and Asia
Brand Names: ROZEREM (Japan, U.S., Asia)