武田薬品工業株式会社
OSAKA, Japan, June 17, 2024 – With great sadness, Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited (“Takeda”) today announced that Kunio Takeda, former President and CEO of Takeda, passed away on June 8, 2024.
After joining Takeda in 1962, Mr. Takeda worked in the company’s international division, going on to lead significant growth of Takeda's U.S. business as Executive Vice President of TAP Pharmaceutical Products, a joint venture with Abbott Laboratories in the U.S., which built the foundation for Takeda’s global expansion. He became President and CEO in 1993 and led wide-ranging business reforms, prioritizing pharmaceuticals as Takeda’s core business. Under his leadership, in FY2001, Takeda became the first Japanese pharmaceutical company to achieve sales of 1 trillion yen, marking the start of a period of growth and progress that continues to shape Takeda today.
“With bold decision-making and visionary leadership, Kunio Takeda initiated the internationalization of Takeda as well as focusing on the pharmaceuticals business.” said Christophe Weber, President and CEO of Takeda. “We express our deepest condolences to his family, friends and all those who knew him. While I am saddened by his loss, I am reassured that his many wonderful achievements will remain in our hearts for many years to come.”
A private service for family members has already been held. In accordance with the wishes of the deceased, all offerings such as flowers and donations are respectfully declined. No farewell gatherings are planned.
Takeda is focused on creating better health for people and a brighter future for the world. We aim to discover and deliver life-transforming treatments in our core therapeutic and business areas, including gastrointestinal and inflammation, rare diseases, plasma-derived therapies, oncology, neuroscience and vaccines. Together with our partners, we aim to improve the patient experience and advance a new frontier of treatment options through our dynamic and diverse pipeline. As a leading values-based, R&D-driven biopharmaceutical company headquartered in Japan, we are guided by our commitment to patients, our people and the planet. Our employees in approximately 80 countries and regions are driven by our purpose and are grounded in the values that have defined us for more than two centuries. For more information, visit www.takeda.com.