OSAKA, Japan - Monday, September 14th 2015 [ME NewsWire]

(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited (TOKYO:4502) today announced its participation in WIPO Re:Search, a consortium to accelerate research and development (R&D) of new drugs, vaccines, and diagnostics for neglected tropical diseases, malaria and tuberculosis (TB). WIPO Re:Search’s aim is to advance product development through greater collaboration while making concrete contributions to strengthen the foundations of healthcare in developing countries.

"Takeda's participation in the consortium demonstrates our commitment to supporting better access to medicines for people around the world, including those in emerging markets and developing counties," said Isabel Torres, Director, Access to Medicines, Takeda. "We will continue our efforts to contribute to global health through WIPO Re:Search, together with a number of other Access to Medicines programs such as the Global Health Innovative Technology Fund."

WIPO Re:Search was established in 2011 by the World Intellectual Property Organization (“WIPO”) in collaboration with BIO Ventures for Global Health (“BVGH”) and with the active participation of leading pharmaceutical companies and other renowned public sector research organizations. Through a public database managed by WIPO, members of the consortium, including the US National Institutes of Health (NIH), provide their intellectual property assets and resources such as compounds, expertise, know-how, etc., under royalty-free licenses. Non-profit organizations and other qualified research institutions will gain access to these assets for the research and development of new drugs, vaccines, and diagnostics. By sharing assets and relevant information via the database, the consortium promotes research to develop innovative treatments for patients.

Based on the needs of WIPO Re:Search members, Takeda and BVGH are currently working together to evaluate and determine potential assets and future contributions from Takeda to the consortium.

About WIPO Re:Search

One of the world’s great global health challenges is to overcome the impact of neglected tropical diseases, malaria and TB. WIPO Re:Search aims to stimulate more R&D for new and better treatment options for those suffering from these diseases.

WIPO Re:Search provides access to the intellectual property (IP) of certain pharmaceutical compounds, technologies, know-how and data for R&D activities around neglected tropical diseases, TB, and malaria. By providing a searchable, public database of available IP assets and resources, WIPO Re:Search facilitates new partnerships to support organizations that conduct research for the treatments of neglected tropical diseases. Ultimately, this aims to improve the lives of those most in need.

Financial supporters of WIPO Re:Search’s activities come from a range of multinational pharmaceutical companies, including Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited, plus the governments of Australia and Japan.

About Takeda

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.

As a company committed to improving people’s lives, Takeda endeavors to improve access to healthcare and medicines around the world. Specific initiatives center around the Global Health Project, which was launched in 2012 with representation from across the company.

In 2014, Takeda took steps to integrate various, related Company initiatives and activities by establishing an Access to Medicines (AtM) Committee within its Emerging Markets Business Unit. The Committee oversees AtM activities in emerging countries and will create a global governance system for the Company. It also aims to drive additional Access to Medicines initiatives which are currently under discussion. More information is available in the Takeda Annual Report 2015, http://www.takeda.com/investor-information/annual/.

About WIPO

The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) is a specialized agency of the UN dedicated to developing a balanced and accessible international IP system which rewards creativity, stimulates innovation and contributes to economic development while safeguarding the public interest. It has a mandate from its 184 member states to promote globally the protection of IP via collaborative efforts among states and other stakeholders.

WIPO’s activities fall broadly into three areas: the progressive development of international IP law, IP capacity-building programs to support the efficient use of IP, (particularly in developing countries), and services to industry which facilitate the process of obtaining IP rights in multiple countries and alternative dispute resolution options for private parties.

About BVGH

BIO Ventures for Global Health (BVGH) is a non-profit organization based in Seattle, Washington, dedicated to solving global health issues by forming connections between people, resources, and ideas. BVGH works at the crossroads of the biopharmaceutical industry and global health to find the common ground between the aspirations of the global health community and the strategic priorities of companies.

Contacts

Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited

Japan

Kazumi Kobayashi, +81 (0) 3-3278-2095

kazumi.kobayashi@takeda.com

Outside Japan

Vince Docherty, +65 6808 9451

Vince.Docherty@takeda.com