Takeda Announces Discontinuation of Phase 2 Program for DTaP/sIPV Vaccine in Japan

Osaka, Japan, February 2, 2015 – Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited (“Takeda”) today announced the voluntary discontinuation of the development of TAK-361S, a four-component, combination Diptheria-Tetanus-acellular Pertussis (DTaP) and Sabin inactivated poliovirus vaccine (sIPV) that was in Phase 2 of clinical development. This decision resulted from a vaccine portfolio prioritization process to ensure that Takeda’s R&D resources are directed toward the highest-impact programs for public health. The current availability of safe and effective DTaP-sIPV vaccines in Japan was also a factor in this decision. Moving forward, Takeda will focus on vaccine programs that address significant unmet needs in Japan and around the globe, including norovirus, dengue, influenza, Haemophilus Influenzae type b (Hib), and Enterovirus 71 (hand, foot and mouth disease).

“We are committed to addressing the most important challenges in public health – in Japan and around the world,” said Rajeev Venkayya, MD, President of Takeda’s Vaccine Business Unit. “Our highest priority is infectious diseases that threaten the lives of millions of people each year, and for which vaccines do not exist.”

Since the launch of its global vaccine business in 2012, Takeda has reinforced its commitment to public health. An effective norovirus vaccine has been identified as an unmet need by the public health community and a critical priority by the Japanese government. Takeda has the most advanced norovirus vaccine candidate in the world. Takeda is also one of the leaders in the global race to bring a dengue vaccine to the estimated 40% of the world’s population that live in countries with endemic dengue transmission. Japan recently experienced its first major outbreak of dengue fever in nearly 70 years. Both vaccines are expected to enter global Phase 3 clinical trials in fiscal years 2015-16.

In Japan, Takeda recently obtainedan approval for a cell culture-based vaccine against pandemic influenza, and is developing a cell-based vaccine against seasonal influenza (TAK-850; Phase 1/2). Takeda also filed a New Drug Application for Hib vaccine (TAK-816) in 2013.

Takeda continues to contribute to public health in Japan and around the world through the development of important vaccines to address unmet medical needs.

About Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited

Located 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 global leaders of the industry, Takeda is committed to strive towards better health for people worldwide through leading innovation in medicine. Additional information about Takeda is available through its corporate website, www.takeda.com.

About Takeda’s Vaccine Business Unit

Takeda’s Vaccine Business Unit is committed to global public health and prevention of disease to ensure “Better Health, Brighter Future” for people around the world. Takeda has supplied vaccines to protect the health of people in Japan for more than 60 years. Headquartered in Deerfield, Illinois, Takeda’s global Vaccine Business was launched in January 2012. Today, development efforts are focused on global health priorities, such as dengue, norovirus and influenza that represent significant public health problems around the world.

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