Company Announcements

− If approved, TAK-721 will be the first FDA-approved treatment for the chronic inflammatory disease; Takeda plans to use the trade name Eohilia (budesonide oral suspension)

OSAKA, Japan--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 15, 2020-- Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited (TSE:4502/NYSE:TAK) (“Takeda”) today announced that the United States (U.S.) Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has accepted for review the company’s New Drug Application (NDA) and granted Priority Review for the investigational therapy budesonide oral suspension, TAK-721, which has been designed specifically for eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE).¹ If approved, TAK-721 will be the first FDA-approved treatment for the chronic inflammatory disease, and Takeda plans to use the trade name Eohilia (budesonide oral suspension). The FDA grants Priority Review for medicines that, if approved, have the potential to offer significant advances in the safety or effectiveness of the current treatment approaches. TAK-721 previously received both Breakthrough Therapy designation and Orphan Drug designation from the FDA.

“For too long, healthcare professionals have been without approved treatments developed specifically to target the chronic, localized esophageal inflammation of EoE,” said Asit Parikh, MD, PhD, Head, Gastroenterology Therapeutic Area Unit, Takeda. “We are enthusiastic about the pivotal Phase 3 clinical data showing the ability of TAK-721 to help address esophageal inflammation. We’re committed to working closely with the FDA to further our collective understanding of EoE, and potentially bringing a new treatment option to patients and their healthcare professionals.”

EoE is a chronic inflammatory disease that can cause damage to the esophagus.² Impacting approximately one in 2,000 people in the U.S.,^2,3,4,5,6 EoE is growing in prevalence.⁷ Though the exact cause is unknown, EoE involves a complex interplay of genetics, environmental factors and immune system dysfunction.⁸ The chronic inflammation of EoE can lead to a range of symptoms, which can vary by person and age,⁹ but most often results in difficulty swallowing.¹⁰ If left untreated, EoE can worsen over time and cause injury and inflammation to the esophagus.¹¹ In severe cases, EoE can lead to narrowing of the esophagus, which may cause food to become stuck.¹⁰

“Because food is so integral to our social lives and well-being, many facets of everyday life are impacted by the symptoms of EoE,” said Karen Lasch, MD, Vice President, Gastroenterology, U.S. Medical, Takeda. “With no FDA-approved treatments, patients have limited choices and today’s news underscores the urgent needs of this patient population.”

The TAK-721 development program is the first and largest EoE Phase 3 clinical trial program in the U.S. to report results. The NDA filing is based on data from the pivotal Phase 3 trials ORBIT1 and ORBIT2, which investigated the safety and efficacy of TAK-721 in adolescent and adult patients (11 to 55 years of age) with EoE.¹²

About TAK-721 (budesonide oral suspension)

TAK-721 (budesonide oral suspension) is a novel mucoadherent topically active oral viscous formulation of budesonide, formulated specifically as an investigational treatment for eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE).¹ The suspension is intended to treat the localized esophageal inflammation that is caused by EoE.

Priority Review, Breakthrough Therapy designation and Orphan Drug designation do not guarantee approval or commercial availability.

About Eosinophilic Esophagitis (EoE)

Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is a chronic, immune-mediated, inflammatory disease localized in the esophagus.² Although the exact cause of EoE is unknown, it is believed to be triggered by a variety of stimuli including certain foods and environmental allergens.⁸ The chronic inflammation of EoE can lead to a range of symptoms, which can vary by person and age, and include difficulty swallowing, vomiting and heartburn.⁹ If left untreated, inflammation of EoE can worsen and narrow the esophagus, which can lead to food impaction¹¹ that may necessitate urgent endoscopic intervention.¹³ Currently, there are no FDA-approved therapeutic options for the treatment of EoE, though current management guidelines for EoE recommend the elimination of targeted food from patient diets, the use of proton pump inhibitors and/or treatment with topical glucocorticosteroids.¹⁴

Takeda’s Commitment to Gastroenterology in the United States

Takeda sees an urgent need for improving patient care in gastroenterology (GI) and has focused on improving the lives of patients through the delivery of innovative medicines and dedicated patient disease support programs for more than 25 years. We push boundaries and work across modalities, taking on the most complex GI conditions and the most neglected patient needs, boldly advancing original thinking and creatively tackling barriers to make a meaningful difference for patients. Challenging expectations and enabling innovative thinking, Takeda is part of more than 200 collaborations connecting people with a mutual commitment to action. Takeda is leading in areas of gastroenterology associated with high unmet need, such as inflammatory bowel disease, short bowel syndrome, and motility and esophageal disorders. Our GI Research & Development team is also exploring solutions in immune-related diseases, motility and liver diseases.

About Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited

Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited (TSE: 4502/NYSE: TAK) is a global, values-based, R&D-driven biopharmaceutical leader headquartered in Japan, committed to discover and deliver life-transforming treatments, guided by our commitment to patients, our people and the planet. Takeda focuses its R&D efforts on four therapeutic areas: Oncology, Rare Genetic and Hematology, Neuroscience, and Gastroenterology (GI). We also make targeted R&D investments in Plasma-Derived Therapies and Vaccines. We are focusing on developing highly innovative medicines that contribute to making a difference in people’s lives by advancing the frontier of new treatment options and leveraging our enhanced collaborative R&D engine and capabilities to create a robust, modality-diverse pipeline. Our employees are committed to improving quality of life for patients and to working with our partners in health care in approximately 80 countries. For more information, visit https://www.takeda.com.

Important Notice

For the purposes of this notice, “press release” means this document, any oral presentation, any question and answer session and any written or oral material discussed or distributed by Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited (“Takeda”) regarding this release. This press release (including any oral briefing and any question-and-answer in connection with it) is not intended to, and does not constitute, represent or form part of any offer, invitation or solicitation of any offer to purchase, otherwise acquire, subscribe for, exchange, sell or otherwise dispose of, any securities or the solicitation of any vote or approval in any jurisdiction. No shares or other securities are being offered to the public by means of this press release. No offering of securities shall be made in the United States except pursuant to registration under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or an exemption therefrom. This press release is being given (together with any further information which may be provided to the recipient) on the condition that it is for use by the recipient for information purposes only (and not for the evaluation of any investment, acquisition, disposal or any other transaction). Any failure to comply with these restrictions may constitute a violation of applicable securities laws.

The companies in which Takeda directly and indirectly owns investments are separate entities. In this press release, “Takeda” is sometimes used for convenience where references are made to Takeda and its subsidiaries in general. Likewise, the words “we”, “us” and “our” are also used to refer to subsidiaries in general or to those who work for them. These expressions are also used where no useful purpose is served by identifying the particular company or companies.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release and any materials distributed in connection with this press release may contain forward-looking statements, beliefs or opinions regarding Takeda’s future business, future position and results of operations, including estimates, forecasts, targets and plans for Takeda. Without limitation, forward-looking statements often include words such as “targets”, “plans”, “believes”, “hopes”, “continues”, “expects”, “aims”, “intends”, “ensures”, “will”, “may”, “should”, “would”, “could” “anticipates”, “estimates”, “projects” or similar expressions or the negative thereof. These forward-looking statements are based on assumptions about many important factors, including the following, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements: the economic circumstances surrounding Takeda’s global business, including general economic conditions in Japan and the United States; competitive pressures and developments; changes to applicable laws and regulations; the success of or failure of product development programs; decisions of regulatory authorities and the timing thereof; fluctuations in interest and currency exchange rates; claims or concerns regarding the safety or efficacy of marketed products or product candidates; the impact of health crises, like the novel coronavirus pandemic, on Takeda and its customers and suppliers, including foreign governments in countries in which Takeda operates, or on other facets of its business; the timing and impact of post-merger integration efforts with acquired companies; the ability to divest assets that are not core to Takeda’s operations and the timing of any such divestment(s); and other factors identified in Takeda’s most recent Annual Report on Form 20-F and Takeda’s other reports filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, available on Takeda’s website at: https://www.takeda.com/investors/reports/sec-filings/ or at www.sec.gov. Takeda does not undertake to update any of the forward-looking statements contained in this press release or any other forward-looking statements it may make, except as required by law or stock exchange rule. Past performance is not an indicator of future results and the results or statements of Takeda in this press release may not be indicative of, and are not an estimate, forecast, guarantee or projection of Takeda’s future results.

References

¹ Dellon ES, et al. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2019;17:666–673.
² Furuta GT, Katzka DA. N Engl J Med. 2015;373(17):1640-1648.
³ O'Shea KM, Aceves SS, Dellon ES, et al. Gastroenterology. 2018;154(2):333-345.
⁴ Dellon ES. Gastroenterol Clin North Am. 2013;42(1):133-153.
⁵ Dellon ES, Jensen ET, Martin CF, et al. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2014;12(4):589-596.
⁶ Dellon ES. Gastroenterol Clin North Am. 2014;43(2):201-218.
⁷ Dellon ES, Hirano I. Gastroenterology. 2018;154(2):319-332.e3.
⁸ Clayton F, Peterson K. Gastrointest Endosc Clin N Am. 2018;28(1):1-14.
⁹Muir AB, Brown-Whitehorn T, Gowin B, et al. Clin Exp Gastroenterol. 2019;12:391-399.
¹⁰ Carr S, Chan ES, Watson W. Allergy Asthma Clin Immunol. 2018;14(Suppl 2):58.
¹¹ Hirano I, Futura GT. Gastroenterology. 2020;158(4):840-851.
¹² U.S. National Library of Medicine. Eosinophilic Esophagitis Clinical Studies. Available at:
https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/results?recrs=e&type=Intr&cond=Eosinophilic+Esophagitis&phase=2&fund=2.
Accessed November 17, 2020.
¹³ Schupack D. et al. United European Gastroenterology Journal. 2019;7(4):548–556.
¹⁴ Hirano I, Bernstein KA, Jonathan A. et al. Gastroenterology. 2020;158(6):1776-1786.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20201215005640/en/

For U.S. Media
Amy McCarthy
amy.mccarthy@takeda.com
+1 781-496-7761

For Japanese Media
Kazumi Kobayashi
kazumi.kobayashi@takeda.com
+81 (0) 3-3278-2095

Source: Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited

For U.S. Media
Amy McCarthy
amy.mccarthy@takeda.com
+1 781-496-7761

For Japanese Media
Kazumi Kobayashi
kazumi.kobayashi@takeda.com
+81 (0) 3-3278-2095