Takeda to Launch Vaccine Business Division

Takeda will establish a Vaccine Business Division to strengthen the Company’s foundations for expansion of its vaccine business on a global scale.

Japan's Takeda Pharmaceutical announced Monday that, effective January 1, 2012, it plans to establish a Vaccine Business Division with the purpose of strengthening the Company’s foundations for expansion of its vaccine business on a global scale.

In Japan, Takeda has been an important supplier of pediatric vaccines for more than 60 years. The Company’s recent efforts in vaccine business include clinical testing of the Haemophilus Influenzae type b (Hib) vaccine and development of a combination vaccine containing a Sabin-inactivated poliovirus (s-IPV) vaccine, which is likely to play an important role in polio eradication. Takeda is also developing a human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine. In order to counter pandemic influenza, Takeda is expediting preparations for production and supply of vaccines against new types of influenza.