Takeda Terminates Plans for VAXEM Hib® Launch in JapanDue to the Vaccine Supplier’s (GSK) Decision to Discontinue Global Production

Osaka, Japan, May 9, 2017 – Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited (TSE: 4502) today announced the cancellation of its planned launch in Japan of VAXEM Hib^®, a conjugate vaccine to prevent infections caused by Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib). This is the result of the discontinuation of the manufacture and supply of VAXEM Hib^® worldwide by the manufacturer GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) as part of an ongoing process by GSK to optimize its worldwide manufacturing footprint. This decision is accompanied by the termination of the distribution agreement with Takeda for Japan and discontinue manufacturing and supply of VAXEM Hib^® to Takeda. GSK is the only supplier of this vaccine to Takeda. 

In January 2016, the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare approved Takeda’s New Drug Application (“NDA”) for VAXEM Hib^® in children aged from 2 months to under 5 years of age, to prevent infections caused by Hib. Hib frequently inhabits the nasopharynx (nose and throat) of individuals and can spread to other parts of the body, causing life threatening illness such as meningitis, pneumonia, or sepsis, particularly in young children. Hib meningitis can be fatal or result in long term disability, but can be prevented through immunization

Takeda developed the vaccine for Japan in collaboration with Novartis and then GSK, following GSK’s acquisition of Novartis’ vaccine business in March 2015. Takeda had planned to launch the vaccine in Japan in early 2017. GSK recently made the decision to terminate global production and supply of VAXEM Hib^®, and subsequently informed Takeda of this decision. Takeda proposed alternatives to GSK to allow the launch of VAXEM Hib^® to proceed as planned, but GSK deemed these options not feasible.

Takeda remains dedicated to protecting the health of the Japanese population through the provision of important vaccines. Moving forward, Takeda will maintain its focus on vaccine development programs against significant infectious diseases such as dengue, zika, norovirus and polio.

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Takeda’s Commitment to Vaccines
Vaccines prevent more than two million deaths each year and have transformed global public health. For more than 60 years, Takeda has supplied vaccines to protect the health of people in Japan. Today, Takeda’s global vaccine business is applying innovation to tackle some of the world’s most challenging infectious diseases for which vaccines are needed, such as dengue, zika, norovirus and polio. Our team brings an outstanding track record and a wealth of knowledge in vaccine development, manufacturing and global access to advance a pipeline of vaccines to address the world’s most pressing public health needs.

About Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited
Located in Osaka, Japan, Takeda (TSE: 4502) 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.

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