August 30, 2005

Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited

TAP Advances Takeda's Investigational Gastroenterology Compound TAK-390MR into Phase III Clinical Studies
TAP to Lead Clinical Development Program and Commercialization

Osaka, Japan, August 30, 2005 − Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited ("Takeda") announced today that TAP Pharmaceutical Products Inc("TAP"), a 50-50 joint venture with Abbott, will advance Takeda's investigational compound, TAK-390MR forthe treatment of acid-related disorders, into Phase III clinical studies. Takeda licensed the compound to TAP for development in the United States and Canada.

The compound employs a new modified release technology on an enantiomer of lansoprazole. Lansoprazole is a proton pump inhibitor originally developed by Takeda and is marketed as Prevacid® by TAP in the United States. It is also marketed by Takeda and its licensees in approximately 100 countries worldwide, being recognized as the leading brand in major countries.

In parallel with TAK-390MR, TAP will continue conducting the feasibility studies of several candidates for treating acid-related diseases.

"We believe that TAK-390MR, once successfully developed and marketed, can offer physicians additional treatment options for patients suffering from acid-related disorders," said Yasuchika Hasegawa, President and Chief Operating Officer of Takeda.
"This compound is expected to further enhance the well-established gastroenterology franchise in which TAP has been developing with Prevacid® since its approval by the FDA in 1995."

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