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Takeda Establishes Global Research and Development Center Pharmaceutical R&D veteran, John Yates, M.D., to serve as president of new organization

January 6, 2004
Lincolnshire, Ill., January 6, 2004 – Takeda Pharmaceuticals North America, Inc. (TPNA) announced the establishment of its new wholly owned subsidiary – the Takeda Global Research & Development Center, Inc. (TGRD). The new organization, to be located on TPNA’s campus in Lincolnshire, Ill., will integrate clinical development activity of TPNA’s R&D group and Takeda’s European R&D operation, Takeda Europe Research & Development Centre, Ltd., and will be led by John Yates, M.D., most recently vice president for Medical and Scientific Affairs at Merck.

“This new organization was created to enhance the ability of the Takeda global R&D network and to more quickly bring superior pharmaceutical products to patients, both in the U.S. and other key markets worldwide,” said Yasuchika Hasegawa, president and chief operating officer of Takeda Chemical Industries, Ltd. (TCI), parent company of TPNA. “We believe that TGRD, supported by Dr. Yates' wide range of experience, will realize its full potential in the years ahead, as the new organization works closely with TCI’s R&D team to execute a truly global development strategy.”

TGRD’s focus will be on developing new product candidates, and also on conducting post-marketing clinical studies and identifying and developing innovative life cycle management approaches for marketed drugs, according to Yates.

“I’m delighted to be joining Takeda’s world-class R&D team, a group that enjoys a reputation for excellence and innovation,” said Yates.

During his more than 20 years in the pharmaceutical industry, Yates played a pivotal role in the successful development of a leading drug for bone loss, led an osteoporosis clinical research team and conducted both basic and clinical research, predominantly in disorders of bone and mineral metabolism.

More recently, Yates served as vice president, clinical development for the U.S. Human Health Division of Merck before moving into medical and scientific affairs, an area in which he had responsibility for functions including clinical development, outcomes research, medical services, academic and professional affairs and the regional Medical Director program.

Yates earned his medical degree from Sheffield University Medical School in England, and received further training in internal medicine and endocrinology at the Sheffield University, the University of Melbourne and the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio, Texas.

About Takeda Pharmaceuticals North America
Based in Lincolnshire, Ill., Takeda Pharmaceuticals North America, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Takeda Chemical Industries, Ltd. in Osaka, Japan. Takeda is a
research-based global company with its main focus on pharmaceuticals. As the largest pharmaceutical company in Japan and one of the industry’s leaders worldwide, Takeda is committed to strive toward better health for individuals and progress in medicine by developing superior pharmaceutical products.

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