MEDIA RELEASE PR37591
Takeda and Pfizer to Co-Promote Takeda's Actos(R) (pioglitazone HCl) for the Treatment of Type 2
Diabetes in China
OSAKA and NEW YORK, Dec. 15/PRNewswire-AsiaNet/ --
Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited ("Takeda") and Pfizer Inc.
("Pfizer") today announced that they have entered into an agreement under
which Pfizer in China will co-promote Takeda's Actos(R) (pioglitazone HCl)
with Tianjin Takeda Pharmaceuticals in China. The exclusive co-promotion
agreement will build on the current sales capability for Actos in China by
increasing the number of medical representatives supporting the sales and
marketing of the product and expanding the product reach utilizing the
territory coverage of Pfizer in China, the largest multinational
pharmaceutical company in China. Pfizer's Chinese affiliate will receive a
fixed ratio of Actos net sales.
Actos, for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, has been sold in China since
2004 by Tianjin Takeda Pharmaceuticals, a joint venture of Takeda
Pharmaceutical Company Limited and Tianjin Lisheng Pharmacetical Co., Ltd., a
Chinese company.
Currently the world's fifth largest pharmaceutical market, China is
expected to be the third largest market by 2011. According to the
International Diabetes Federation, the diabetes epidemic has the greatest
potential to increase in China, because of its population size, rapid
urbanization and economic expansion.
"Takeda has a significant opportunity to increase our presence in China,
and we are pleased to be partnering with Pfizer to make Actos even more
widely available to patients in China," said Alan MacKenzie, Executive Vice
President, International Operations, Takeda Pharmaceuticals International,
Inc. "We are committed to contributing to the health of people in China
through a strong sales and marketing framework that provides enhanced access
to our products for patients and healthcare providers, and we look forward to
further expanding our talent base in China to realize this goal."
"The combination of Takeda's industry leading product, backed by
compelling clinical evidence and Pfizer's strong capability and coverage in
China creates a winning partnership," said Ian Read, Senior Vice President
and Group President, Pfizer Worldwide Biopharmaceutical Businesses.
"According to the International Diabetes Federation, China is estimated to
have more than 50 million diabetics by 2025, and we are delighted to partner
with Takeda to provide these people with the opportunity to live healthier
lives. Pfizer is committed to helping the Chinese Government address its top
public health priorities in an innovative, socially responsible and
commercially viable manner."
About ACTOS(R) (pioglitazone HCl)
ACTOS is a prescription medication used with diet and exercise to improve
blood sugar (glucose) control in adults with type 2 diabetes. ACTOS is not
for patients with type 1 "juvenile" diabetes or diabetic ketoacidosis. ACTOS
has not been studied in children and is not recommended for children under
the age of 18. ACTOS may be taken alone or with a sulfonylurea, metformin, or
insulin.
About Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited
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 striving toward better health for
individuals and progress in medicine by developing superior pharmaceutical
products. Additional information about Takeda is available through its
About Pfizer Inc: Working together for a healthier world(TM)
At Pfizer, we apply science and our global resources to improve health
and well-being at every stage of life. We strive to set the standard for
quality, safety and value in the discovery, development and manufacturing of
medicines for people and animals. Our diversified global health care
portfolio includes human and animal biologic and small molecule medicines and
vaccines, as well as nutritional products and many of the world's best-known
consumer products. For more than 150 years, Pfizer has worked to make a
difference for all who rely on us. To learn more about our commitments,
SOURCE: Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited
CONTACT: Seizo Masuda, Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited,
+81-3-3278-2037 (office); or
Rebekah Childers, Takeda Pharmaceuticals International, Inc,
+1-224-515-9049 (office); or
Neena Moorjani, Pfizer/ Media Relations,
+65-8322-4178; or
Suzanne Harnett, Pfizer / Investor Relations,
+1-212-733-8009