November 14, 2006

Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited
Takeda Pharmaceuticals North America, Inc.

New Data Show ACTOS^® (pioglitazone HCl) Halted Progression of Atherosclerosis as Indicated by CIMT in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes¹

Results demonstrated significant improvements on cardiovascular markers beyond glycemic control²

Chicago, IL, November 13, 2006 − Researchers today presented data showing that ACTOS^® (pioglitazone HCl) halted the progression of atherosclerosis as measured by carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) in patients with type 2 diabetes.³ Results from the clinical trial, CHICAGO (Carotid intima-media tHICkness in Atherosclerosis using pioGlitazOne), are part of a late-breaker presentation at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2006, coincidentally being held in Chicago, and coincide with an early online issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association. Trial results will also be published in the December 6 print issue of JAMA.

"The CHICAGO study is another interesting piece of the puzzle, adding to the understanding of how pioglitazone may confer benefits beyond glycemic control,"said Theodore Mazzone, M.D., F.A.C.P., professor of medicine and director of the Section of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism at the University of Illinois at Chicago. "Although physicians have aggressively treated cardiovascular risk, people living with diabetes are still at a higher risk for heart disease. And while additional studies are needed to determine how reductions in CIMT with pioglitazone might prevent cardiovascular events, we do know that new approaches to addressing CV risk factors in diabetes are critical."

The CHICAGO trial was an 18-month, multicenter, randomized study that enrolled 462 patients with type 2 diabetes, all from the Chicago area.⁴ The primary goal was to compare the effects of ACTOS versus glimepiride, a sulfonylurea (SU),⁵ on carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT),⁶ defined as the thickness of the inner lining of a patient's neck arteries.⁷ The trial also assessed the occurrence of cardiovascular events (i.e., death, heart attack and stroke) and cardiovascular disease risk factors in patients with type 2 diabetes.⁸

The analysis demonstrated a statistically significant relative reduction in the progression of CIMT with ACTOS. According to the results, patients in the ACTOS arm showed a -0.001 mm change in arterial thickness from baseline versus an increase of 0.012 mm in the glimepiride arm, a total difference of 0.013 mm between the two arms (P=0.017). The results also showed a highly significant relative change in the maximum CIMT values,⁹ commonly considered a more indicative measure of overall treatment impact.¹⁰ The glimepiride-treated group showed a 0.026 increase, compared to a 0.002 increase in the ACTOS-treated group, resulting in a treatment difference of 0.024 (P=0.008).¹¹ Studies show that, for people living with diabetes, CIMT progresses at an increased rate.¹²

Typical of SUs, initial glycemic control was better with glimepiride compared to ACTOS.¹³ However, by study end, ACTOS provided significantly better glycemic control based on reductions in A1c levels, which in the ACTOS-treated group decreased by 0.33 percent versus the glimepiride group that saw a decrease of 0.01 percent, resulting in a -0.32 percent (P=0.002) difference between the two arms.¹⁴

Adjudicated cardiac events, composite endpoints of non-fatal myocardial infarction (MI), non-fatal stroke and death, showed no events in the ACTOS arm (n=230) and 2 events in the glimepiride arm (n=228).¹⁵

ACTOS decreased triglyceride levels by 13.5 percent versus an increase of 2.1 percent with glimepiride (P=0.001), and increased HDL-C levels by 12.8 percent versus a decrease of 1.1 percent with glimepiride (P=0.001). Both treatment arms increased in LDL-C levels: 5.8 percent with ACTOS compared to 1 percent with glimepiride (P=0.12).¹⁶

"Our focus has been on helping patients to effectively manage their diabetes and to reduce their risk of complications. CHICAGO is a unique study showing that the improved cardiovascular outcomes exhibited by patients at highest risk for CVD on ACTOS in the PROactive Trial, may extend to patients earlier in the disease progression," said John Yates, M.D., president, Takeda Pharmaceuticals Global Research & Development. "Heart disease is the leading cause of death for people living with diabetes and, while significant progress has been made in understanding the link between diabetes and heart disease, we still have a long way to go."

Notes to Editors

About the CHICAGO Trial

CHICAGO is the largest and longest study to examine the effects of ACTOS on measures of the atherosclerotic disease process in patients with type 2 diabetes, most of whom had no clinical evidence of heart disease. Atherosclerosis, a condition that leads to reduced or blocked blood flow, is accelerated in patients with type 2 diabetes. Carotid intima−media thickness, or CIMT, is defined as the thickness of the inner lining of a patient's carotid, or neck artery. A thickened carotid intima-media layer is a surrogate marker for heart attack and stroke.
Measuring CIMT using ultrasonography is a well−accepted, noninvasive way to assess atherosclerosis. The study also looked at cardiovascular endpoints, glycemic control, lipid profiles, blood pressure and other atherosclerotic markers.17

About ACTOS

Takeda is the originator of thiazolidinedione derivatives and Actos^® is a member of the thiazolidinedione class of "insulin-sensitizing" agents. Insulin sensitizers help improve the body's ability to effectively use its own insulin by reducing insulin resistance --- a defect that has been identified as a possible cause of type 2 diabetes.

In the United States, Takeda Pharmaceuticals North America, Inc. (TPNA), the U.S. marketing subsidiary wholly owned by Takeda, launched Actos^® in August 1999. In Japan, Takeda launched Actos^® in December 1999 and received the approval of marketing authorization in European Union in October 2000.
Actos^® is now being marketed in approximately 70 countries by Takeda group companies and also by a worldwide partner for Actos^®, Eli Lilly and Company, and other licensees.

1 Mazzone T, et al. Effects of Pioglitazone and Glimepiride on Carotid Intima- Media Thickness in Type 2 Diabetes − Results of the CHICAGO study. Abstract.
American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2006.

2 Mazzone T, et al. Effects of Pioglitazone and Glimepiride on Carotid Intima-Media Thickness in Type 2 Diabetes − Results of the CHICAGO study. Abstract.
American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2006.

3 Mazzone T, et al. Effects of Pioglitazone and Glimepiride on Carotid Intima- Media Thickness in Type 2 Diabetes − Results of the CHICAGO study. Abstract.
American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2006.

4 Mazzone T, et al. Effects of Pioglitazone and Glimepiride on Carotid Intima- Media Thickness in Type 2 Diabetes − Results of the CHICAGO study. Abstract.
American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2006.

5 American Diabetes Association. Diabetes Dictionary. Available at: . Accessed November 3, 2006.

6 Mazzone T, et al. Effects of Pioglitazone and Glimepiride on Carotid Intima- Media Thickness in Type 2 Diabetes − Results of the CHICAGO study. Abstract.
American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2006.

7 Bots, M., Kijk, J., et al. Carotid itima−media thickness, arterial stiffness and risk of cardiovascular disease: current evidence. Journal of Hypertension.
2003; 20: 2317-2325.

8 Mazzone T, et al. A Double-Blind, Randomized, Comparator Controlled Study in Subjects with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Comparing the Effects of Pioglitazone HCl vs. Glimepiride on the Rate of Progression of Atherosclerotic Disease as Measured by Carotid Intima−Media Thickness (CHICAGO). PowerPoint presentation.

9 Mazzone T, et al. Effects of Pioglitazone and Glimepiride on Carotid Intima- Media Thickness in Type 2 Diabetes − Results of the CHICAGO study. Abstract.
American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2006.

10 Bots M, etc al. Carotid intima−media thickness measurements in intervention studies: Design options, progression rates and sample size considerations: A point of view. Stroke. 2003;34;2985-2994.

11 Mazzone T, et al. Effects of Pioglitazone and Glimepiride on Carotid Intima- Media Thickness in Type 2 Diabetes − Results of the CHICAGO study. Abstract.
American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2006.

12 Mazzone T, et al. A Double-Blind, Randomized, Comparator Controlled Study in Subjects with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Comparing the Effects of Pioglitazone HCl vs. Glimepiride on the Rate of Progression of Atherosclerotic Disease as Measured by Carotid Intima−Media Thickness (CHICAGO). PowerPoint presentation.

13 Hanefeld M, et al. One-year glycemis control with a sulfonylurea plus pioglitazone versus a sulfonylurea plus metformin in patients with type 2 diabetes.
Diabetes Care. 2004:27; 141-147.

14 Mazzone T, et al. A Double−Blind, Randomized, Comparator Controlled Study in Subjects with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Comparing the Effects of Pioglitazone HCl vs. Glimepiride on the Rate of Progression of Atherosclerotic Disease as Measured by Carotid Intima−Media Thickness (CHICAGO). PowerPoint presentation.

15 Mazzone T, et al. A Double−Blind, Randomized, Comparator Controlled Study in Subjects with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Comparing the Effects of Pioglitazone HCl vs. Glimepiride on the Rate of Progression of Atherosclerotic Disease as Measured by Carotid Intima−Media Thickness (CHICAGO). PowerPoint presentation.Inc.

16 Mazzone T, et al. A Double−Blind, Randomized, Comparator Controlled Study in Subjects with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Comparing the Effects of Pioglitazone HCl vs. Glimepiride on the Rate of Progression of Atherosclerotic Disease as Measured by Carotid Intima−Media Thickness (CHICAGO). PowerPoint presentation.

17 Mazzone T, et al. A Double−Blind, Randomized, Comparator Controlled Study in Subjects with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Comparing the Effects of Pioglitazone HCl vs. Glimepiride on the Rate of Progression of Atherosclerotic Disease as Measured by Carotid Intima−Media Thickness (CHICAGO). PowerPoint presentation.