Better Health, Brighter Future
CAMBRIDGE, Massachusetts, January 31, 2022 – Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited (TSE:4502/NYSE:TAK) (“Takeda”) today announced that the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) approved VONVENDI® [von Willebrand factor (Recombinant)] for routine prophylaxis to reduce the frequency of bleeding episodes in patients with severe Type 3 von Willebrand disease (VWD) receiving on-demand therapy.
VONVENDI is the only recombinant von Willebrand factor (VWF) replacement therapy, and the first and only treatment to reduce the frequency of bleeding episodes for severe Type 3 VWD approved by the FDA for routine prophylactic use. VONVENDI is now indicated for routine prophylaxis in adults with severe Type 3 VWD receiving on-demand therapy, as well as on-demand and perioperative bleed management in adults with VWD.
“This approval is a major advancement for those living with severe Type 3 VWD and is a testament to Takeda's commitment to improve VWD care,” said Heather Dean, Vice President, U.S. Hematology Franchise Head, Takeda. “With routine prophylactic treatment, there is now a proactive strategy available for management of bleeding episodes and may offer people living with severe Type 3 VWD hope that bleed reduction is possible.”
VWD is an inherited disorder that affects women and men equally.1 It is caused by a deficiency or defective function of VWF, one of several types of proteins in the blood that are needed for proper blood clotting.1 Due to this defective function or deficiency, blood is not able to clot effectively in people with VWD. VONVENDI is an infused product that is specifically designed to replace the body's missing or dysfunctional VWF.1
“VWD is a complex disease where both patients and providers may experience stress and uncertainty due to the unpredictable disease course and limited treatment options,” said Miguel A. Escobar, M.D., professor in the Department of Pediatrics and Internal Medicine at the McGovern Medical School at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston and an investigator in the VONVENDI prophylaxis study*. “A prophylactic treatment option may allow for greater disease control and the potential to enhance the standard of care.”
The approval is based on data from a prospective, open-label, international multicenter study to evaluate efficacy and safety of prophylactic treatment in reducing the frequency of bleeding episodes in 10 adult patients diagnosed with severe Type 3 VWD who were previously treated on-demand. Based on descriptive statistics, the median annualized bleeding rates (ABR) for all bleeds (treated and untreated spontaneous and traumatic bleeding events) was reduced from historical median ABR 5.0 (range: 3.0, 159.0) to an on-study median ABR of 2.3 (range: 0, 157.9), which is a 54.7% reduction. The most common adverse reactions (≥2% of subjects) observed in adult patients treated with VONVENDI in clinical trials were headache, vomiting, nausea, dizziness, arthralgia, joint injury, vertigo, ALT increased and generalized pruritus.
VONVENDI is used in adults (age 18 years and older) diagnosed with von Willebrand disease to:
You should not use VONVENDI if you:
Tell your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or breastfeeding because VONVENDI may not be right for you.
Your first dose of VONVENDI for each bleeding episode may be administered with a recombinant factor VIII as instructed by your healthcare provider.
Your healthcare provider will instruct you whether additional doses of VONVENDI with or without recombinant factor VIII are needed.
You should tell your healthcare provider if you:
Your body can form inhibitors to von Willebrand factor or factor VIII. An inhibitor is part of the body’s normal defense system. If you form inhibitors, it may stop VONVENDI or factor VIII from working properly. Consult with your healthcare provider to make sure you are carefully monitored with blood tests for the development of inhibitors to von Willebrand factor or factor VIII.
You can have an allergic reaction to VONVENDI.
Call your healthcare provider right away and stop treatment if you get a rash or hives, itching, tightness of the throat, chest pain or tightness, difficulty breathing, lightheadedness, dizziness, nausea or fainting.
Side effects that have been reported with VONVENDI include: headache, nausea, vomiting, tingling or burning at infusion site, chest discomfort, dizziness, joint pain, joint injury, increased liver enzyme level in blood, hot flashes, itching, high blood pressure, muscle twitching, unusual taste, blood clots and increased heart rate.
Tell your healthcare provider about any side effects that bother you or do not go away.
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
Please see VONVENDI full Prescribing Information
*Miguel A. Escobar, M.D. received honoraria and consulting fees from Takeda Pharmaceuticals
VWD is the most common inherited bleeding disorder, affecting up to one percent of the U.S. population. VWD is caused by a deficiency or dysfunction of von Willebrand factor (VWF), one of several types of proteins in the blood that are needed to facilitate proper blood clotting. Due to this defect or deficiency in VWF, blood is not able to clot effectively in people with VWD which may result in heavy menstrual periods, easy bruising, or frequent nose bleeds. Bleeding caused by VWD varies greatly among patients with this disease.1
Following its recent acquisition of Shire, Takeda is a leader in hemophilia with the longest heritage and market-leading portfolio, backed by established safety and efficacy profiles with decades of real-world experience. We have 70+ years driving innovation for patients and a broad portfolio of 11 products across multiple bleeding disorders. Our experience as leaders in hematology means we are well prepared to meet today’s needs as we pursue future developments in the care of bleeding disorders. Together with the hematology community, we are raising expectations for the future, including earlier diagnosis, earlier and full protection against bleeds, and more personalized patient care.2
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 Genetics 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 and regions. For more information, visit https://www.takeda.com.
Erin Beals
[email protected]
+1 781-336-9417
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.
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, including global health care reforms; challenges inherent in new product development, including uncertainty of clinical success and decisions of regulatory authorities and the timing thereof; uncertainty of commercial success for new and existing products; manufacturing difficulties or delays; 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/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.
This press release contains information about products that may not be available in all countries, or may be available under different trademarks, for different indications, in different dosages, or in different strengths. Nothing contained herein should be considered a solicitation, promotion or advertisement for any prescription drugs including the ones under development.