Takeda Receives Subsidy to Develop Influenza Vaccine

Takeda will have a JPY23.9bn (US$312m) government subsidy to develop a new influenza vaccine.

Japanese drugmaker Takeda Pharmaceutical Company will receive a JPY23.9bn (US$312m) government subsidy to develop a new influenza vaccine.

Last year Takeda entered into a licensing agreement with Baxter International of Illinois, US directed to Baxter’s proprietary Vero cell culture-based influenza vaccine technology. Baxter is one of the few companies in the world with a licensed cell culture-based pandemic influenza vaccine.

Takeda received a government subsidy last year to support the development of Baxter’s technology for influenza vaccines for licensure in Japan. The firm introduced the Vero cell culture-based technology and purification techniques established by Baxter for influenza vaccine production into its experimental production facilities at its Hikari Pla