Takeda Submitted an Application for an Additional Indication of
"Takepron^® Capsules 15" and "Takepron^® OD Tablets 15" in Japan
for Prevention of Onset of low-dose aspirin related gastric and duodenal ulcer

Osaka, Japan, March 26, 2009 -Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited (“Takeda”) today announced its submission of an application of the additional indication of “Takepron^® Capsules 15” and “Takepron^® OD Tablets 15” to the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare for prevention of onset of low-dose aspirin related gastric and duodenal ulcer. Takepron is a proton pump inhibitor discovered by Takeda and has been launched since 1992 in Japan.

The number of patient taking low-dose aspirin for prevention of relapse of cerebral infarction or myocardial infarction is increasing with the aging of the population in Japan. However, there is no drug which has the indication for prevention of onset of low-dose aspirin ulcer in Japan. Takeda conducted Phase III trial of Takepron for the treatment of Japanese patients who take low-dose aspirin in long period and submitted an application for an additional indication of prevention of onset of low-dose aspirin related gastric and duodenal ulcer based on the result of the trial.

Once this application is approved, Takeda expects to help patients taking aspirin with Takepron for prevention of onset of low-dose aspirin ulcer to allow extended use of low-dose aspirin. Takeda is pursuing every possibility of Takepron and continues the development for enhancing its value.

(Reference)

Low-dose aspirin used for prevention of formation of blood clots and emboli in cerebrovascular and cardiovascular disease sometimes causes gastric or duodenal ulcer. It is thought that extended use of low-dose aspirin with an effective means to prevent ulcers is important because patients discontinuing use of low-dose aspirin face a higher risk of forming blood clots and emboli.

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