TAKEDA CANADA LAUNCHES YOURVANTAGE™ PATIENT SUPPORT PROGRAM FOR MYELOMA PATIENTS PRESCRIBED NINLARO™

OAKVILLE, Ontario – February 1, 2017 – Takeda Canada Inc. is pleased to support multiple myeloma patients prescribed NINLARO™ (ixazomib) with access to YOURVANTAGE™, a personalized treatment assistance program. In August 2016, Health Canada approved NINLARO™ in combination with lenalidomide and dexamethasone for the treatment of adult patients with multiple myeloma who have received at least one prior therapy.i NINLARO™ is the first and only oral proteasome inhibitor that provides a needed option for patients managing a devastating, rare, relapsing and incurable cancer.ii

YOURVANTAGE™ - which is already supporting inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients who are prescribed ENTYVIO® - will support patients prescribed NINLARO™ by providing access to an oncology-experienced nurse, reimbursement navigation support, financial / co-payment assistance, medication adherence support and delivery of NINLARO™ as needed. Patients and prescribing health care professionals can receive YOURVANTAGE™ NINLARO™ support by phoning: 1-844-884-4968.

"Understanding patients’ needs and assisting them through their journey is essential to addressing the challenges faced by multiple myeloma patients. This new program to support patients who are prescribed NINLARO™ shows that Takeda Canada is working to remove barriers for patients, and ensure that patients receive the care they need easily and rapidly," declared Aldo Del Col, Chair and Co-Founder of Myeloma Canada and the Myeloma Canada Research Network.

"Takeda Canada strives to continuously bring value to patients and respond to their needs where it matters most. Canadians living with multiple myeloma manage significant, far-reaching burdens. Takeda’s Patient Support Program will assist Canadians in their journey to manage this devastating disease in a personal, accommodating, manner in the comfort of their own home," said Chatrick Paul, General Manager, Takeda Canada Inc. "We are honoured to add NINLARO™ to the YOURVANTAGE™ Patient Support Program and will continue to identify opportunities to directly support multiple myeloma care across Canada."

With its proven efficacy, tolerable safety profile and oral administration convenience, NINLARO™ may provide the opportunity to alleviate some of the patient burdens associated with current multiple myeloma treatments.iii Takeda is committed to implementing options for patient access, aligned with federal and provincial regulations, in order to bring new medicines to patients who may benefit from them. Takeda will apply an innovative approach to address affordability at a patient level that includes offering patient support programs like YOURVANTAGE™.

About NINLARO™ (ixazomib) capsules

NINLARO™ is an oral proteasome inhibitor. Proteasomes play an important role in cells by breaking down unwanted proteins. NINLARO™ blocks proteasomes from working and causes a build-up of proteins in cells. This can cause cell death, especially in multiple myeloma cells because they are more likely to contain a higher amount of abnormal proteins. NINLARO™ is approved in combination with lenalidomide and dexamethasone, to treat adults with multiple myeloma who have received at least one prior multiple myeloma treatment.

About Multiple Myeloma

Multiple myeloma is a cancer of the plasma cells, which are found in the bone marrow. In multiple myeloma, a group of plasma cells, or myeloma cells, becomes cancerous and multiplies, increasing the number of plasma cells to a higher than normal level. Because plasma cells circulate widely in the body, they have the potential to affect many bones in the body, possibly resulting in compression fractures, lytic bone lesions and related pain. Multiple myeloma can cause a number of serious health problems affecting the bones, immune system, kidneys and red blood cell count, with some of the more common symptoms including bone pain and fatigue, a symptom of anaemia. Multiple myeloma is a rare form of cancer. In Canada, it is estimated that approximately 7,500 people live with multiple myeloma, with 2,700 new cases estimated to be diagnosed this year.iv

About Takeda Canada

Takeda Canada, located in Oakville, Ontario, is the Canadian sales and marketing organization of Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited, Osaka, Japan. The company has a commercial presence covering more than 70 countries, with particular strength in Asia, North America, Europe and fast-growing emerging markets including Latin America, Russia-CIS and China. Areas of focus include cardiovascular and metabolic, oncology, respiratory and immunology, central nervous system, general medicine, and vaccines.

Takeda is a research-based global company with its main focus on pharmaceuticals. As the largest pharmaceutical company in Japan and one of the global leaders of the industry, Takeda is committed to strive towards better health for people worldwide through leading innovation in medicine. Through strategic acquisitions, Takeda has been transforming itself, broadening its therapeutic expertise and geographic outreach.

Additional information about Takeda Canada is available at: www.takedacanada.com.

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i NINLARO™ Product Monograph. Takeda Canada Inc. (August 2016)
iiIBID
iiiIBID
ivCanadian Cancer Statistics 2016. http://www.cancer.ca/en/cancer-information/cancer-type/multiple-myeloma/statistics/?region=on