Press Releases

December 5, 2006

Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited

Osaka, Japan, December 5, 2006 --- Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited ("Takeda") today announced that, on December 1, Mr. Giacomo Di Nepi joined Takeda as CEO of the new company for Takeda European Operations, Takeda Pharmaceuticals Europe Limited ("TPEU"), which was established as a wholly owned subsidiary in last August and is now starting its activities.

"We are excited to welcome Mr. Di Nepi to Takeda," said Yasuchika Hasegawa, Takeda's president. "With more than 20 years of international experience in the pharmaceutical industry as an executive and, before as a consultant, we believe Mr. Di Nepi will bring a tremendous amount of perspective to Takeda in a pivotal position such as CEO of TPEU."

"I am really pleased of joining Takeda, an entrepreneurial company, with good growth potential, a very strong financial position and a strong reputation, and to assume this important role." said Giacomo Di Nepi. "I believe this opportunity is both challenging and exciting and look forward to contributing to Takeda's business expansion throughout the European Region."

TPEU will lead the overall business activities of Takeda's six subsidiaries in Europe(*), by promoting pan-European strategies for the short-, mid- and long-term and by supporting the management of the subsidiaries in the region. This approach will further enhance and complement our solid business structures in Europe, towards the further growth of Takeda's business in the region.

[*] Laboratoires Takeda (France), Takeda UK Limited (UK),Takeda Italia Farmaceutici S.p.A. (Italy), Takeda Pharma GmbH (Germany), Takeda Pharma Ges.m.b.H (Austria), Takeda Pharma AG (Switzerland)

<Company Outline>

Company name	:	Takeda Pharmaceuticals Europe Limited
Location	:	London, United Kingdom
Capital	:	Sterling pound 4 million
Date of establishment	:	2August 22, 2006 2

<Profile of Giacomo Di Nepi>

Education	:	Degree in Economics in Italy, MBA in France
Business career	:	1978-1979 Fiat S.p.A, Italy 1980-1996 McKinsey & Company, Italy 1996-present Novartis (US, Italy and Switzerland)
		(Latest position: Novartis Pharma AG, Basel, Switzerland, Global Head for Infectious Diseases, Transplantation & Immunology; Member of the Executive Committee)

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