Policy Concerning Research

The basic principles applicable to Takeda research are to provide global customers with innovative drugs; based on the achievements of world-class research and applying the latest information on life science and advanced technologies held by the Company. Although there has been dramatic progress in technologies for the development of new drugs, including genomic technology, Takeda is not simply trying to keep pace with the technological revolution. The Company does not blindly expand the scale of its business haphazardly but rather pursues real growth in research quality. The key challenges are fostering scientists and promoting effective management of the research function. Even in an age of remarkable technological advancement, human capability remains the key factor.
Takeda identifies competent employees and provides them with opportunities to develop their talents; aiming to foster scientists with a genuine enthusiasm to create new drugs. In addition, Takeda improves its research capabilities by organizing its research into specific areas and effectively using external resources where appropriate, such as overseas research institutes. Takeda has a long history of over 220 years. By transferring its heritage to future generations and adhering to the spirit at the "starting point of drug discovery," Takeda is committed to contributing to patients, the medical profession and society as a whole.

Compliance in Research

To ensure we remain constantly aware of the sanctity of life, Takeda implements pharmaceutical research in accordance with its high ethical standards as well as its own in-house regulations and guidelines, which far exceed the scope of relevant laws and regulations. The Laboratory Animal Ethics Committee scrutinizes in-house animal experiments as well as those conducted by commissioned research institutes; not only for compliance with the conventional 3Rs^[*] but also the fourth R of "Responsibility" (responsibility for animals). Prior to conducting an experiment on the artificial recombination of genes, an experimental plan is prepared and the Safety Committee, composed of members including external experts such as medical doctors and lawyers, review the plan and report back.

[*]3Rs:Replacement (replacement of medical research using animals with those without animals), Reduction (reduction in the number of animals used in experiments) and Refinement (pain alleviation in experimental animals)