Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited, a global biopharmaceutical company headquartered in Japan, said it is initiating the development of an anti-SARS-CoV-2 polyclonal hyperimmune globulin (H-IG), which Takeda is referring to as TAK-888 to treat high-risk individuals with COVID-19. SARS-CoV-2 is the virus that causes COVID-19.

The Japanese drug maker is also studying whether its currently marketed and pipeline products may be an effective treatment option for infected patients.

Hyperimmune globulins are plasma derived-therapies that have previously been shown to be effective in the treatment of severe acute viral respiratory infections and may be a treatment option for COVID-19. As a leader in plasma-derived therapies with more than 75 years of experience in the development of plasma-derived products, Takeda has the expertise to research, develop, and manufacture a potential anti-SARS-CoV-2 polyclonal H-IG, which Takeda is referring to as TAK-888.

“As a company dedicated to the health and well-being of people around the world, we will do all that we can to address the novel coronavirus threat,” said Dr Rajeev Venkayya, president of Takeda’s Vaccine Business Unit and co-lead of the company’s COVID-19 response team.

Dr Nayak: new role

“We have identified relevant assets and capabilities across the company and are hopeful that we can expand the treatment options for patients with COVID-19 and the providers caring for them.”

The company is currently in talks with multiple national health and regulatory agencies and health care partners in the US, Asia, and Europe to expeditiously move the research into TAK-888 forward, the company said in a statement. This requires access to source plasma from people who have successfully recovered from COVID-19 or who have been vaccinated, once a vaccine is developed. These convalescent donors have developed antibodies to the virus that could potentially mitigate severity of illness in COVID-19 patients and possibly prevent it.

Also, Takeda is exploring whether select marketed therapies and molecules in its drug library could be viable candidates for the effective treatment of COVID-19. These efforts are at an early stage but being given a high priority within the company, Takeda said. 

“An internal working group of in-house experts in public health, vaccines, plasma-derived therapies, and R&D will continue to seek opportunities to leverage our expertise and extensive network of global partners to address COVID-19,” it added.

SALE COMPLETED

Meanwhile, closer home, Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited has completed its previously-announced sale of a portfolio of select over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription pharmaceutical assets in a number of Near East, Middle East and Africa (MEA) countries within its Growth and Emerging Markets Business Unit (GEM BU) to Acino for a total value in excess of $200 million.

The divestment agreement was first announced in October 2019.

The transaction includes approximately 30 select prescription pharmaceutical and OTC products. These products will continue to be made available by Takeda in other parts of the world. Close to 270 employees, primarily sales and marketing professionals supporting the portfolio, are also transitioning to Acino. The parties also entered into multi-year manufacturing and supply agreements, under which Takeda will continue to manufacture the products on behalf of Acino.

NEW AREA HEAD

The leading biopharmaceutical company also announced the appointment of Dr Mahender Nayak as area head for the company’s ICMEA (India, CIS, Middle East, Turkey, and Africa) Area. In the capacity, Dr Nayak will lead the company’s operations from Dubai, UAE, where he will be based.Dr Nayak said: “This is an exciting time to move to a part of the world that is teeming with great opportunities to increase patient access to Takeda’s highly innovative medicines.”

TOP EMPLOYER

Further, Takeda has announced it has become part of a select group to receive global Top Employer. In ICMEA, the Top Employer certification went for the third time running to Takeda entities in Turkey, Ukraine, and South Africa.

Gonzalo Ponce Gutierrez, head of Human Resources, ICMEA said: “With a fast-expanding presence in the region, Takeda is committed to growing as an employer of choice and as a great place to work, driven by a steadfast focus on flexibility, inclusion and employee wellness.