April 8, 2004

Takeda Chemical Industries, Ltd.

Takeda Submits Application for the Use of Candesartan
in the Treatment of Chronic Heart Failure

Osaka, Japan, 8 April 2004 - Takeda Chemical Industries, Ltd. ("Takeda") today announced that its wholly owned subsidiary, Takeda Europe Research & Development Centre Ltd., London, UK, submitted an application on April 6 for a new indication for Candesartan cilexetil, angiotensin II type 1 receptor blocker (ARB), its use in the treatment of chronic heart failure.

The submission has been made in the form of Mutual Recognition Variation Procedure, covering UK, Germany, Austria, Italy, Spain, Portugal and Ireland.
Separate submission each in Switzerland and France is scheduled in the near future.

This submission is based on the positive results of the CHARM (Candesartan in Heart failure: Assessment of Reduction in Mortality and morbidity) program, which proved Candesartan cilexetil to reduce both cardiovascular deaths as well as hospital admissions across a broad spectrum of patients with chronic heart failure.

The results of CHARM program were presented at the European Society of Cardiology (ESC, Vienna, August 30- September 3, 2003) and at the American College of Cardiology annual meeting (ACC, New Orleans, March 7-10, 2004).

"Takeda submitted an application for a new indication for Candesartan cilexetil about its use in the treatment of chronic heart failure with established positive results from CHARM program", said Dr. Kiyoshi Kitazawa, Ph.D., Member of the Board, General Manager of harmaceutical Development Division of Takeda.
"We expect Candesartan cilexetil will provide a new treatment option to those patients with chronic heart failure and accordingly could contribute to the improvement of their quality of life".

Takeda is an originator of Candesartan cilexetil that is marketed in around 70 countries worldwide under the brand names such as Blopress, Amias and Kenzen. Candesartan cilexetil is a member of the angiotensin II type 1 receptor blockers (ARBs) that represent a breakthrough for the treatment of hypertension.

Takeda is a research-based global company with its main focus on pharmaceuticals. As the largest pharmaceutical company in Japan and among the leaders in the world, Takeda is committed to strive toward better health for individuals and progress in medicine by developing superior pharmaceutical products.

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