Takeda Submits Marketing Authorisation Application for Vedolizumab in Moderately to Severely Active Ulcerative Colitis and Crohn's Disease in the European Union

OSAKA, Japan, March 7, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --

Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited ("Takeda") today announced that a Marketing Authorisation Application (MAA) has been submitted to The European Medicines Agency (EMA) for vedolizumab, an investigational, gut-selective humanized monoclonal antibody for the treatment of adults with moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD), the two most common types of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). If approved, vedolizumab would be the first and only gut-selective biologic agent for UC and CD on the market.

"Ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease are chronic debilitating diseases with important unmet medical needs, often affecting young people in the prime of their lives," said Asit Parikh, M.D., Ph.D., vice president, general medicine, Takeda. "We are encouraged by the findings of GEMINI, the vedolizumab Phase 3 clinical development program, which studied approximately 3,000 patients in nearly 40 countries, making it the largest IBD clinical trial program conducted to date."

Nearly four million people worldwide are affected by IBD, with UC affecting more than 500,000 people and CD affecting approximately 230,000 people in the EU.Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis are chronic diseases that cause inflammation of the lining of the digestive tract. Inflammation caused by CD can involve varying areas of the digestive tract, while UC impacts the colon only.CD and UC can be both painful and debilitating, which may sometimes lead to serious complications and can significantly impact the quality of life for patients.

The MAA submission was supported by Phase 3 clinical studies, GEMINI I, GEMINI II, GEMINI III and GEMINI LTS (Long-term Safety), which are part of the GEMINI Studies™, a four-study clinical research program to investigate the efficacy and safety of vedolizumab on clinical response and remission in moderately to severely active CD and UC patients, who had failed at least one conventional or anti-TNFα therapy.

"With a targeted mechanism of action, vedolizumab has clinical promise as a potential treatment option for people with moderate to severely active CD and UC," said Paul Rutgeerts, M.D., Ph.D., F.R.C.P., professor of medicine, Catholic University of Leuven, Belgium. "While there is no known cure, there is a need for new CD and UC treatment options, in an effort to provide patients with additional choices for managing their disease, reducing symptoms and achieving remission."

About Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis

Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) are the two most common forms of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), which is marked by inflammation in the lining of the GI tract. CD can impact any part of the digestive tract, and common symptoms may include abdominal pain, diarrhea, rectal bleeding, weight loss, and/or fever. UC impacts the large intestine only, which includes the colon and the rectum. The most common symptoms of UC include abdominal discomfort and blood or pus in diarrhea. There is no known cause for CD or UC, although many researchers believe that the interaction of an outside agent, such as a virus or bacteria, with the body's immune system may trigger them. No cure exists for CD or UC; the aim of IBD treatments is to induce and maintain remission, or achieve extended periods of time when patients do not experience symptoms.

About vedolizumab

Vedolizumab was developed for the treatment of CD and UC, as a gut-selective, humanized monoclonal antibody that specifically antagonizes the alpha4beta7 (α4β7) integrin, which is expressed on a subset of circulating white blood cells. These cells have been shown to play a role in mediating the inflammatory process in CD and UC. α4β7 binds with a specific adhesion molecule primarily expressed in the intestinal tract. Therefore, vedolizumab, by preventing this interaction, has a gut selective effect.

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 strive towards better health for patients worldwide through leading innovation in medicine. Additional information about Takeda is available through its corporate website, http://www.takeda.com.

This press release contains forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include statements regarding Takeda's plans, outlook, strategies, results for the future, and other statements that are not descriptions of historical facts. Forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of forward-looking words such as "may," "believe," "will," "expect," "project," "estimate," "should," "anticipate," "plan," "assume," "continue," "seek," "pro forma," "potential," "target," "forecast," "guidance," "outlook" or "intend" or other similar words or expressions of the negative thereof. Forward-looking statements are based on estimates and assumptions made by management that are believed to be reasonable, though they are inherently uncertain and difficult to predict. Investors are cautioned not to unduly rely on such forward-looking statements.

Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results or experience to differ materially from that expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Some of these risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, (1) the economic circumstances surrounding Takeda's business, including general economic conditions in Japan, the United States and worldwide; (2) competitive pressures and developments; (3) applicable laws and regulations; (4) the success or failure of product development programs; (5) actions of regulatory authorities and the timing thereof; (6) changes in exchange rates; (7) claims or concerns regarding the safety or efficacy of marketed products or product candidates in development; and (8) integration activities with acquired companies.

The forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of the date of this press release, and Takeda undertakes no obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statements to reflect new information, future events or circumstances after the date of the forward-looking statement. If Takeda does update or correct one or more of these statements, investors and others should not conclude that Takeda will make additional updates or corrections.

SOURCE Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited

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