Takeda Receives Breakthrough Award from the Pharmaceutical Society of Japan for Research Leading to the Discovery of Oveporexton (TAK-861) | Takeda Pharmaceuticals

Oveporexton is an oral selective orexin 2 receptor (OX2R) agonist with a novel mechanism of action discovered by Takeda at its research center in Shonan. By selectively stimulating OX2R, oveporexton is designed to restore orexin signaling and address the orexin deficiency that is the underlying cause of narcolepsy type 1 (NT1). In August 2026, oveporexton received manufacturing and marketing approval from Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) for the treatment of NT1 and was launched in Japan in October 2026. The award recognizes research that enabled the discovery of orally available oveporexton and its contribution to the advancement of drug discovery through innovative research on a compound with a novel chemical structure. This marks Takeda’s seventh time receiving the award and its first since 2022.

Tatsuki Koike, Senior Director, Global Chemistry at Takeda and lead researcher of the award-winning research, Discovery of the Oral Orexin 2 Receptor Agonist Oveporexton (TAK-861),said, “Oveporexton was born from a deep understanding of orexin biology, numerous scientific breakthroughs and innovations, and the persistent efforts of many researchers to overcome challenges. We are delighted that our research toward the discovery of an orally available compound, which represents one part of this journey, has been recognized with this award. We are also extremely proud that these research efforts have contributed to bringing a new treatment option to patients. Encouraged by this recognition, we will continue striving to make a difference for patients through innovative science.”

The Division of Medicinal Chemistry is the PSJ’s first working group, launched in 1990 to contribute to the further development of the PSJ and pharmaceutical industry. It seeks to build an environment where members who are conducting basic or applied research into the creation of innovative new drug entities can present their research findings, exchange knowledge, communicate with other members, and collaborate with other organizations in and outside Japan, as well as support the advancement of pharmaceutical chemistry and strengthen the basis of new drug discovery research. The Division of Medicinal Chemistry’s Breakthrough Awards were launched in 2000 to recognize excellent findings in the field of drug discovery research.

Head researcher： Tatsuki Koike
Co-researchers: Yuichi Kajita, Yuhei Miyanohana, Yasushi Hattori, Haruhide Kimura
All awardees are from Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited.

Oveporexton is an oral orexin receptor 2 (OX2R) agonist, which selectively stimulates the OX2R to restore signaling and address the underlying orexin deficiency associated with narcolepsy type 1 (NT1). By activating OX2Rs, oveporexton promotes wakefulness and reduces abnormal rapid eye movement (REM)-sleep like phenomena, including cataplexy (sudden and temporary loss of muscle tone), to address a range of daytime and nighttime symptoms as evaluated in clinical studies and consistent with the approved label.

Takeda is the leader in orexin science with a tailored portfolio of investigational orexin agonists in pre-clinical and clinical stages for multiple-sleep wake disorders and other indications where orexin biology plays a role including respiration, mood and metabolism. Oveporexton is the lead orexin receptor 2 (OX2R) agonist in Takeda’s orexin franchise and has been approved by regulatory bodies in China for the treatment of narcolepsy type 1 (NT1) in adolescents aged 16 and older and adults as well as in the United States and Japan for adults with NT1. The company is also investigating other oral orexin agonists, including TAK-360 for the treatment of NT1, narcolepsy type 2 (NT2) and idiopathic hypersomnia (IH), as well as TAK-495.

Takeda is focused on creating better health for people and a brighter future for the world. We aim to discover and deliver life-transforming treatments in our core therapeutic and business areas, including gastrointestinal and inflammation, rare diseases, plasma-derived therapies, oncology, neuroscience and vaccines. Together with our partners, we aim to improve the patient experience and advance a new frontier of treatment options through our dynamic and diverse pipeline. As a leading values-based, R&D-driven biopharmaceutical company headquartered in Japan, we are guided by our commitment to patients, our people and the planet. Our employees in approximately 80 countries and regions are driven by our purpose and are grounded in the values that have defined us for more than two centuries. For more information, visit www.takeda.com.

For the purposes of this notice, “press release” means this document, any oral presentation, any question-and-answer session and any written or oral material discussed or distributed by Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited (“Takeda”) regarding this release. This press release (including any oral briefing and any question-and-answer in connection with it) is not intended to, and does not constitute, represent or form part of any offer, invitation or solicitation of any offer to purchase, otherwise acquire, subscribe for, exchange, sell or otherwise dispose of, any securities or the solicitation of any vote or approval in any jurisdiction. No shares or other securities are being offered to the public by means of this press release. No offering of securities shall be made in the United States except pursuant to registration under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or an exemption therefrom. This press release is being given (together with any further information which may be provided to the recipient) on the condition that it is for use by the recipient for information purposes only (and not for the evaluation of any investment, acquisition, disposal or any other transaction). Any failure to comply with these restrictions may constitute a violation of applicable securities laws.

The companies in which Takeda directly and indirectly owns investments are separate entities. In this press release, “Takeda” is sometimes used for convenience where references are made to Takeda and its subsidiaries in general. Likewise, the words “we”, “us” and “our” are also used to refer to subsidiaries in general or to those who work for them. These expressions are also used where no useful purpose is served by identifying the particular company or companies.

This press release contains information about products that may not be available in all countries, or may be available under different trademarks, for different indications, in different dosages, or in different strengths. Nothing contained herein should be considered a solicitation, promotion or advertisement for any prescription drugs including the ones under development.