武田薬品工業株式会社
Osaka, Japan, October 1, 2021—Takeda and Moderna today published a report of the investigation prompted by the observation of foreign particles in unpunctured vials from a single lot of Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine distributed in Japan by Takeda. The lot was suspended on August 26, 2021, JST and voluntarily recalled on September 2, 2021, JST. Two other lots manufactured in the same series were included in the suspension and voluntary recall as a precautionary measure.
The investigation report is intended to provide a clear view into what happened, when, and how it has been addressed. Specifically, it provides details on the particle analysis, root cause analysis and health risk assessment conducted by Moderna (the vaccine developer and manufacturer), ROVI Pharma Industrial Services, S.A. (Moderna’s European contract manufacturing organization), and Takeda (the Japan Marketing Authorization Holder and authorized distributor). In addition, the report provides information based on a draft for-cause audit of ROVI, conducted on-site jointly by Moderna and Takeda.
In summary, the root cause analysis, particle analysis and health risk assessment established the following:
The investigation conclusion has confirmed the scope of the event, and corrective actions—including improvements to standard operating procedures at the changeover, and the utilization of a new precision tool—will help mitigate the risk of this issue reoccurring. These actions will be directly overseen and confirmed by Moderna, in collaboration with Takeda. A list of corrective and preventive actions following the root cause analysis and for-cause audit are provided in the investigation report.
The Moderna COVID-19 vaccine has a well-established safety and efficacy profile. To date, more than 200 million doses of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine have been administered to more than 110 million individuals in 45 countries, representing a critical component of the global fight against COVID-19. Takeda and Moderna’s top priority is to continue to support the MHLW’s efforts to help fight this ongoing pandemic and bring this vaccine to everyone who can benefit from it.
The investigation report can be read here
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 healthcare in approximately 80 countries. For more information, visit https://www.takeda.com.
Japan Media
Tsuyoshi Tada
+81-90-4924-9360
Tatsuhiro Kanoo
+81-90-2198-5068
Media outside Japan
Matthew Henson
917-930-7147
For Moderna Media Inquiries
Colleen Hussey
617-335-1374
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.