Talented Local Students Receive Scholarships for Scientific Advancement

LINCOLNSHIRE, Ill, October 26, 2005 – Five Chicago-area students, seeking to further scientific research through advancements in natural sciences, engineering and medicine, were chosen as Takeda Scholars and will receive scholarships from Takeda Pharmaceuticals North America, Inc. (TPNA), through the Achievement Rewards for College Scientists (ARCS) Foundation.

This year, Takeda continues its commitment to science education and progress in medicine through a grants program that began in 2003 and recognizes students pursuing degrees in science-related fields. ARCS is a national organization dedicated to raising scholarship money for students majoring in natural sciences, engineering and medicine at leading U.S. colleges and universities.

Takeda chose this year’s scholars from a pool of students recommended by deans and department chairmen at their respective universities because they met a high standard of excellence with the grades they achieved and the essays they submitted.

The five 2005-2006 returning scholars are:

Grace C. Lin, a senior at Illinois Institute of Technology, is majoring in biomedical engineering and through her retinal cell research, hopes to identify new therapies to treat disease related to retinal cells, such as diabetes and central nervous system disorders.
Heather A. Hoffman, a University of Notre Dame graduate, received the Loyola Faculty Medallion for Excellence in the First Year Curriculum at the end of June for earning all honors. Researching with the Department of Orthopedic Surgery, she is investigating how women’s foot structure and athletic footwear relate to foot pain and foot injury.
Jody L. Major, a student at Northwestern University, researches the design, synthesis and testing of bioactivated magnetic resonance contrast agents for the imaging of gene expression and signal transduction in whole animals.
Janet L. Wolford, a Northwestern University student, focuses her research on the role of zinc concentration in various cell types, specifically how zinc plays a role in epilepsy, ischemia and malaria. She hopes this research leads to a novel drug target for malarial treatment or improved diagnosis of cerebral malaria.
Shannon E. Hensley, an honors graduate from the University of Kansas, is a medical student at the University of Chicago researching racial disparities in type 2 diabetes and has worked to develop and implement a culturally sensitive, community-based program that provides nutritional and exercise intervention for adults and children.

About ARCS Foundation
The ARCS Foundation was founded by a small group of volunteers in 1958 after the Soviet launch of Sputnik. Since then, it has provided $53 million in scholarships to outstanding student scientists at more than 40 universities. There are currently 14 ARCS chapters nationwide with more than 1,400 member-volunteers. The Chicago Chapter, formed in 1977, has awarded more than $1 million to 268 area students. For more information, visit www.arcsfoundation.org/Chicago.

Takeda Pharmaceuticals North America, Inc.
Based in Lincolnshire, Ill., Takeda Pharmaceuticals North America, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Takeda Pharmaceutical Company, Limited, the largest pharmaceutical company in Japan. In the United States, Takeda currently markets oral diabetes, sleep and cholesterol lowering treatments, and through the Takeda Global Research & Development Center, Inc. the company has a robust pipeline with compounds in development for diabetes, cardiovascular disease and other conditions. Takeda is committed to striving toward better health for individuals and progress in medicine by developing superior pharmaceutical products.

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