Takeda and Cardurion Pharmaceuticals Launch Cardiovascular Development Partnership

Collaboration to develop novel, next-generation therapeutics to treat heart disease

Osaka, Japan and Cambridge, Mass., August 3, 2017 – Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited (TSE: 4502) and Cardurion Pharmaceuticals today announced the creation of a new cardiovascular development partnership. Cardurion, a recently launched Boston-area based biotechnology company, is focused on the development of novel, next-generation therapeutics for the treatment of heart failure and other cardiovascular diseases.

Cardurion is led by two physician scientists with extensive experience in cardiovascular science, medicine and drug development -- Daniel Bloomfield, M.D., chief executive officer, and Michael Mendelsohn, M.D., founder and executive chairman. Takeda will jumpstart the new company’s discovery efforts by providing a 12-person cardiovascular research team from its Shonan, Japan site, including fully equipped laboratory space, development resources and licenses to a portfolio of preclinical-stage cardiovascular drug programs.

“The creation of this partnership with Cardurion follows Takeda’s strategy to leverage external innovation by placing selected assets and outstanding scientists into entrepreneurial environments,” said Andrew Plump, M.D., Ph.D., chief medical and scientific officer, Takeda. “By leveraging the high level of therapeutic expertise at Takeda’s Shonan Research Center to support drug discovery, we’re motivating scientists to come together to deliver on our promise of serving patients with existing unmet needs.”

The newly formed Cardurion is headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts and has research facilities in Shonan, Japan -- with both locations surrounded by leading academic research ecosystems that support biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies.

“This partnership demonstrates our shared commitment to developing transformative, novel therapies that can have a meaningful impact for the millions of people around the world suffering from heart disease,” said Bloomfield. “The scientific collaboration we’re establishing with Takeda will propel our preclinical efforts and ultimately help get important therapies into the hands of patients in need.”

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death worldwide in both men and women, accounting for more than 17 million deaths per year¹, a number that is expected to grow to nearly 24 million by 2030². Heart failure alone affects more than six million patients in the U.S.³, with nearly a million new patients diagnosed each year³.

About Takeda Pharmaceutical Company
Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited is a global, research and development-driven pharmaceutical company committed to bringing better health and a brighter future to patients by translating science into life-changing medicines. Takeda focuses its R&D efforts on oncology, gastroenterology and central nervous system therapeutic areas plus vaccines. Takeda conducts R&D both internally and with partners to stay at the leading edge of innovation. New innovative products, especially in oncology and gastroenterology, as well as Takeda’s presence in Emerging Markets, are currently fueling the growth of Takeda. Around 30,000 Takeda employees are committed to improving quality of life for patients, working with Takeda’s partners in health care in more than 70 countries. For more information, visit https://www.takeda.com/newsroom/.

About Cardurion Pharmaceuticals
Cardurion is a biotechnology company focused on the development of novel, next-generation therapeutics for the treatment of heart failure and other cardiovascular diseases. The company has facilities in Cambridge, Massachusetts and Shonan, Japan. For more information, visit http://www.cardurion.com.

Takeda’s Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains “forward-looking statements.” Forward-looking statements include all statements other than statements of historical fact, including plans, strategies and expectations for the future, statements regarding the expected timing of filings and approvals relating to the transaction, the expected timing of the completion of the transaction, the ability to complete the transaction or to satisfy the various closing conditions, future revenues and profitability from or growth or any assumptions underlying any of the foregoing. Statements made in the future tense, and words such as “anticipate,” “expect,” “project,” “continue,” “believe,” “plan,” “estimate,” “pro forma,” “intend,” “potential,” “target,” “forecast,” “guidance,” “outlook,” “seek,” “assume,” “will,” “may,” “should,” and similar expressions are intended to qualify as forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on estimates and assumptions made by management that are believed to be reasonable, though they are inherently uncertain and difficult to predict. Investors and security holders are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements.

Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results or experience to differ materially from that expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Some of these risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: required regulatory approvals for the transaction may not be obtained in a timely manner, if at all; the conditions to closing of the transaction may not be satisfied; competitive pressures and developments; applicable laws and regulations; the success or failure of product development programs; actions of regulatory authorities and the timing thereof; changes in exchange rates; and claims or concerns regarding the safety or efficacy of marketed products or product candidates in development.

The forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of the date of this press release, and neither Cardurion, nor Takeda undertake any obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statements to reflect new information, future events or circumstances after the date of the forward-looking statement. If one or more of these statements is updated or corrected, investors and others should not conclude that additional updates or corrections will be made.

Cardurion’s Forward Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements, all of which are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. Any statements contained herein that do not describe historical facts, including, but not limited to, statements that express or imply future outcomes of our partnership with Takeda, are forward-looking statements that are based on management's expectations and are subject to certain factors, risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results, outcomes, timing and performance to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statements. These factors, risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: the costs and uncertainties associated with our research efforts and other discovery activities; the inherent uncertainties associated with the conduct, timing and results of preclinical and clinical studies of our product candidates; and the adequacy of our capital resources and availability of additional funding.  Except as otherwise noted, these forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this press release, and we undertake no obligation to update or revise any of such statements to reflect events or circumstances occurring after this press release. We caution readers not to place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements contained in this press release.

---

 

Media Contacts for Takeda:
Tsuyoshi Tada – Japan
[email protected]
+81-3-3278-2417

Kelly Schlemm – USA
[email protected]
+1-617-551-8865

Media Contact for Cardurion:
Stephanie Hutton
Pure Communications
[email protected]
+1-910-726-1367

¹ World Health Organization. Cardiovascular Diseases Fact Sheet. May 2017. Retrieved June 2017.
² World Health Organization. About Cardiovascular Diseases. Retrieved June 2017.
³ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Heart Failure Fact Sheet. Retrieved July 2017.

# # #