Takeda’s History
Takeda’s History
Takeda’s history has been one of ongoing
self-transformation through the ages to achieve
progress in drug innovation.
Takeda began operations in 1781
when Chobei Takeda I started a
business selling traditional Japanese
and Chinese medicines in Doshomachi, Osaka.
Following Japan’s Meiji Restoration in
the late 1860s, Takeda was one of the
first companies in Japan to turn its Founder, Chobei TakedaⅠ
attention to Western medicine. In 1895, the company
established its own factory, thereby achieving its transformation by becoming a pharmaceutical manufacturer.
In 1950, Takeda increased its reputation for expertise in
“drug innovation” by introducing Panvitan, Japan’s first
multivitamin, and developing antibiotics and other drugs.
With these strides in business, Takeda in 1940 stipulated
its original credo in a written form named “Nori,” which
states it is the most fundamental and important aspect of
company management to conduct business while being
aware of public nature of the business and to contribute
to the society.
In the 1960s, Takeda, targeting an international market,
began the full-scale start of operations outside Japan.
Extending operations to other Asian countries came first.
Overseas activities were then extended to Europe and the
U.S. in the 1970s and 1980s. In the late 1980s and early
1990s, Takeda accelerated its progress toward becoming
a world-class pharmaceutical company by launching its
four international strategic products. As of March 2010,
Takeda had its global presence in 26 countries overall.
Over the years, Takeda has repeatedly translated
challenges into the energy and sustained its growth.
Takeda will continue to move forward and evolve while
looking ahead to future challenges and opportunities.
2005
Ramelteon (insomnia treatment)
launched in the U.S.
1999
Pioglitazone Hydrochloride
(type 2 diabetes treatment)
launched in the U.S. and Japan
1997 Candesartan Cilexetil
(angiotensin Ⅱ receptor antagonist and
anti-hypertensive agent) launched in Europe
1991 Lansoprazole (proton pump inhibitor and
anti-peptic ulcer treatment) launched in Europe
Takeda research facility in 1939
1985 Began operations in the U.S.
1989 Leuprorelin Acetate (prostate cancer,
breast cancer and endometriosis treatment) launched
in the U.S. and Europe
1978 Began operations in Europe
1962
Began operations in Asia
1954 Alinamin, a vitamin B1
derivative, launched
1950 Panvitan,the first multivitamin,
launched in Japan
1895 Pharmaceutical manufacturing business launched
1781 Foundation
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International strategic products
Takeda’s History
Jun. to Jul. 2010
Feb. 2010
Six new products launched in Japan
Mepact (non-metastatic osteasarcoma treatment) launched in Europe
Mar. 2009-Feb. 2010
Expanded own sales network
into 12 more countries
Mar. 2009 ULORIC (treatment for
the management of hyperuricemia in patients
with gout) launched in the U.S.
Apr. 2009
Reorganized global operating structure
Feb. 2009 DEXILANT
(treatment for acid reflux disease)
launched in the U.S.
2008 Acquired Millennium
Pharmaceuticals, Inc
2008 Restructured U.S. operations
Own Sales Network Expanded to Include
12 More Countries
Millennium research laboratory in 2009
Significant Events of 2009 and 2010
Launch of DEXILANT for the Treatment of
Acid Reflux Disease
In February 2009, Takeda started selling DEXILANT
(generic name: dexlansoprazole; former name: KAPIDEX),
a treatment for acid reflux disease, in the U.S. This drug is
positioned as the successor to the peptic ulcer treatment
Prevacid (generic name: lansoprazole), which has been
one of Takeda’s international strategic products.
Launch of ULORIC for the Management
of Hyperuricemia in Patients with Gout
In March 2009, Takeda started selling ULORIC (generic
name: febuxostat), a treatment for hyperuricemia in
patients with gout, in the U.S. This is the first new
treatment for gout in about 40 years.
Reorganization of Global Operating Structure
In April 2009, Takeda created three corporate-level
centers of excellence led by executives in the newly
created positions of Chief Scientific Officer, Executive
Vice President International Operations, and Chief
Administrative Officer. This gives us a further strengthened global operating structure that can be more responsive to rapid changes taking place in the pharmaceutical
industry’s operating environment. The new framework
supports faster and more flexible decision-making as
well as better lines of communication.
During fiscal 2008 and 2009, Takeda entered 12 new
countries: Canada, Spain, Portugal, Ireland, Mexico,
Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Belgium, Luxembourg,
Turkey and Brazil. Takeda expanded its global presence
to 26 countries overall (including Japan). This substantially increased its coverage of the global pharmaceutical
market to 84 percent.
Launch of Mepact for Non-Metastatic
Osteosarcoma (Malignant Bone Cancer) Treatment
In February 2010, Takeda started selling Mepact (generic
name: mifamurtide), a treatment for non-metastatic
osteosarcoma, in Europe. The first new drug in 20 years
for this disease, Mepact is expected to help people
suffering from osteosarcoma fight against the disease.
Launch of Six New Products in Japan
Takeda started selling six drugs in Japan in June and July
2010: NESINA (generic name: alogliptin benzoate), a
treatment for type 2 diabetes; ROZEREM (generic name:
ramelteon), an insomnia drug; Vectibix (generic name:
panitumumab), anti-cancer agent; METACT (a fixed-dose
combination of Actos and metformin) with two active
ingredients, each with a different action mechanism, that
is a treatment for type 2 diabetes; UNISIA (a fixed-dose
combination of Blopress and amlodipine besilate), a
treatment for hypertension; and Actos Orally Disintegrating Tablets (generic name: pioglitazone hydrochloride), a
treatment for type 2 diabetes that offers improved ease
of administration.
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