December 25, 2003

Takeda Chemical Industries, Ltd.

Takeda Establishes New Global Pharmaceutical R&D Center in US

Osaka, Japan, December 25, 2003 --- Takeda Chemical Industries, Ltd. ("Takeda") announced today the creation of the Takeda Global Research and Development Center, Inc. ("TGRD") in Lincolnshire, Illinois. The TGRD Center will start operation in January 2004, as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Takeda Pharmaceutical North America Inc. ("TPNA").

TPNA's existing R&D division will be transferred to TGRD, while a Takeda's another wholly-owned development company, Takeda Europe Research & Development Centre Ltd., London UK ("TEURD") will start to report directly to TGRD effective January, 2004. TGRD will integrate Takedafs clinical development activity in both US and Europe. With this organizational change, Takeda will optimize its global development structure for further enhancement of R&D activities for future growth.

"As we've discussed in our 2001-2005 Mid-Term Management Plan and on many other occasions, Takeda is pursuing the goal of becoming a world-class company in the global pharmaceutical market,h said Yasuchika Hasegawa, President and Chief Operating Officer. "The establishment of this R&D Center will position Takeda for continued global R&D success by drawing on the strength and experience of all areas of our global R&D teams".

The goal of the TGRD's operations will be to support and accelerate Takeda's global clinical development in placing high priority on earlier New Drug Application submissions and approvals in the United States by unifying development efforts in the US and Europe with a leadership in global development operations managed by Takeda R&D Headquarters in Japan.

In addition to the development for new candidates, post marketing clinical studies and life cycle management of marketed drugs will be discussed and conducted through working in good cooperation with TPNA and other Takeda marketing companies worldwide.

About Takeda
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 innovative pharmaceutical products.
Takeda Pharmaceutical North America, Inc., is a wholly owned subsidiary of Takeda Chemical Industries, Ltd.

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