Executive Summary

Takeda Pharmaceuticals is a global biopharmaceutical company which is patient focused and value based which is highly committed in changing people’s lives to the better and giving them a brighter future though healthcare. The company has its presence over 80 countries all over the world having leading positions in Japan and United States.

The US position leads in all Takeda Revenue giving 48%, Japan giving 19% and the rest of the world giving out 33%. 

-Takeda Lawsuits

Takeda Pharmaceuticals is facing so many lawsuits concerning it diabetes type 2 drug Actos. The patients who were prescribed this drug started feeling and experiencing very adverse reactions from the side effects of this medicine. 

This reactions and problems which were caused by Actos side effects were; bladder cancer and heart failure. These two became the main reasons for the many lawsuits filed against Takeda pharmaceuticals. 

The company has been accused of hiding information about the side effects of Actos hence causing all this problems to patients who used this drug.

Many of these charges have been filed as MDL (Multi District Litigations) where several federal lawsuits have been grouped together into one court case so that the process of litigation can be easier and simpler.

History of Takeda Pharmaceuticals

Takeda Pharmaceuticals was founded in 1998 and was ranked as one of the top most Pharmaceutical companies in the United States. Their success has been entirely brought by their drug for treating type 2 diabetes.

The company was originally founded in Osaka Japan in 1781 where it began importing the pharmaceutical products from the west in the same year and at that time it was known as cooperative union not Takeda. In 1925, they changed their name and was called Chobel Takeda & company ltd and had grown that time its net worth being approximately $1 million.

In the of the Second World War, Takeda supplied Penicillin and B vitamins and after the end of the war, it started supplying its stock internationally. The company grew since then expanding its US and European markets.

Subsidiaries of Takeda Pharmaceuticals

1. Shire PLC

Takeda pharmaceuticals in January 2019 acquired Shire plc the Irish based drug maker at a cost of $57 billion. This deal almost doubled Takeda revenue in the larger US region. 

Shire plc deals with the development of medicines like for hemophilia and others that will expand Takeda pharmaceuticals product base and help the company achieve its goals.

1. TiGenix

In August 2018, Takeda Pharmaceuticals acquired TiGenix at a cost of $608 million through the purchase of ordinary shares. Though this purchase, TiGenix became a whole subsidiary of Takeda pharmaceuticals.

TiGenix is a biopharmaceutical company which develops stem cell therapies. It is locally mandated to treat very complex perianal fistulas in these patients with non active luminal diseases who have inadequate response to conventional therapy.

1. Millennium Pharmaceuticals

In April 2008, Takeda Pharmaceuticals acquired biotechnology company Millennium Pharmaceuticals at a cost of $8.8 billion. This is a US based pharmaceuticals which deals mostly with developing and manufacturing cancer drugs.

This acquisition saw Takeda pharmaceuticals own fully the US based company and secured its promising pipelines and technologies developed by the company at large.

It also cemented the deal that Millennium’s main cancer drug Velcade to be added to Takeda’s products portfolio.

1. Nihon Pharmaceuticals

This is another subsidiary of Takeda Pharmaceuticals which was established in 1960. It deals with development and manufacture of pharmaceutical products in the Japan and it based in Tokyo Japan. 

This added to the Takeda family and its widening product portfolios all over the world.

1. Nycomed Pharmaceuticals

This is a pharmaceutical company situated in Johannesburg South Africa which was established in 1996 in which it markets and sells Takeda’s pharmaceutical products in the larger South Africa. This company was acquired in 2011 by Takeda Pharmaceuticals at a cost of $12.9billion on cash basis. The company’s focus was to improve on emerging markets in Asia, Europe and The US markets.

Popular Products of Takeda Pharmaceuticals

There are many products that are developed, manufactured and distributed by Takeda Pharmaceuticals Company both the main and its subsidiaries. They include the following;

1. Prevacid

Its generic name is Lansoprazole and formulated as 15mg, 30mg and granules in caps. It is a proton pump inhibitor which decreases the high amount of acid which is being produced in the stomach.

It is normally used to treat and in the prevention of intestinal and stomach ulcers and the also prevents the danger and damage caused to the esophagus from excessive stomach acids.

Over the counter prevacid is also used to treat heartburn that occurs frequently usually once or twice a week but not very severe.

Use Prevacid carefully as directed or prescribed by the doctor or as directed on the label. The capsule should be swallowed whole and not crushed. Be careful too not to overdose or under dose because it can then lead to other side effects which are life threatening.

1. Dexilant

This is another popular product which is manufactured and distributed by Takeda Pharmaceuticals. Its generic name is Dexlansoprazole. It decreases the amount of acid which is produced in the stomach.

Dexilant is also used to treat heartburn which is normally caused by gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and to heal any damage caused to the esophagus from the acids which are produced in the stomach.

Dexilant can cause kidney problems, new or worsening symptoms of Lupus and broken bones if taking Dexilant daily or more than once per day and even long term.

Taking Dexilant should be strictly followed according to the prescription label or the doctor’s prescription and advice. Do not overdose or under dose because it can also bring other side effects.

1. Actos

Its generic name is called Pioglitazone. This is an oral medicine for diabetes which is used to control blood sugars. It is used together with diet and exercise to improve the blood sugar controls in adults with diabetes type 2. It is not for treating type 1 diabetes.

This medicine is taken once daily with or without food. Low blood sugar (Hypoglycemia) can happen to anyone with diabetes. The doctor can sometimes prescribe glucagon emergency injection kit to be used in case one has very severe hypoglycemia and in the process cannot eat or drink anything.

In taking this drug, follow the doctor’s prescription carefully and do not over or under dose. Always store this medicine at a room temperature where there is no heat, moisture and light. Keep the bottle tightly closed when not in use.

1. Duetact

Its generic name is called glimepiride and pioglitazone. 

Duetact is a combination of oral diabetes medicines which are glimepiride and pioglitazone which helps in controlling blood sugar levels. It is used together with diet and exercise to improve the control of blood sugar in grownups with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Duetact is not at all used to treat diabetes type 1.

Duetact can sometimes cause heart congestion or failure. It should not be used with patients who have cancer unless directed by the doctor. Also it is not for children but only for adults. Always should be taken as per the doctor’s prescription to avoid over or under dosing.

1. Colcrys

This is a Takeda pharmaceutical product whose generic name is Colchicine. This drug is designed to respond to acidic uric crystals thus reducing swelling and pain. This drug has been approved to treat familial Mediterranean fever in adults and children aged 4 years and above and in treating gout only in adults. The medicine is also used to prevent gout and the symptoms of behcets syndrome but it is not a cure for gout.

The common side effects of Colcrys include, muscle pain or weakness, diarrhea, vomiting and stomach pains

1. Leuprorelin Acetate

This is a GnRHa (Gonadotropin releasing hormone agonist) used for the treatment of hormone responsive diseases like cancer e.g. prostate cancer and breast cancer in women

It is also a medicine which is used in treating children with central precocious puberty, infertility and women with endometriosis. It also improves anemia in women with fibroids.

1. Vortioxetine

Its brand name is Trintellix which one of the popular products developed, manufactured and distributed by Takeda Pharmaceuticals. It is mainly used to treat major depressive disorder (MDD).

Product Recalls and Lawsuits

1. Omontys (Peginesatide) Injection Recall

On February 2013, Takeda pharmaceuticals together with Affymax Inc Company made a voluntary recall of all lots of Omontys injection up to the consumer level.

This recall was made because of emerging post marketing reports of very serious hypersensitivity reactions which can be life threatening including anaphylaxis.

This medicine is mainly used in the treatment of anemia. There has been few cases and the company is investigating these issues. No lawsuits have been filed yet concerning this recall.

1. Pamol Recall 2017

In February 2017, Takeda pharmaceuticals made a voluntary recall of pamol, only some patch which was packed in packs of 300 film coated tablets. This was because there was a discovery of Ibumetin 600mg which contains ibubrofen in some packs.

These two medicines are used to treat mild pains but they work in totally different ways and it was anticipated that they may cause adverse or severe reactions

Litigation Settlements

1. $2.4 Billion Settlement of Actos Litigations

In April 2015, Takeda pharmaceuticals settled to pay over 9000 lawsuits mostly of bladder cancer litigations that emerged from the use of Actos. Many patients incurred injuries from the use of this drug resulting to too many lawsuits of which others are still pending which are not yet finalized or settled.

Sources:

https://www.empr.com/manufacture/takeda-pharmaceutical-company/

https://www.drugs.com/manufacturer/takeda-pharmaceuticals-u-s-a-inc-137.html

https://www.drugdangers.com/manufacturers/takeda-pharmaceuticals/

https://www.takeda.com/who-we-are/company-information/company-facts/

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-millennium/takeda-to-buy-millennium-pharma-for-8-8-billion-idUST18218420080410

https://laegemiddelstyrelsen.dk/en/news/2017/takeda-pharma-as-recalls-batch-of-pamol-in-packs-of-300-film-coated-tablets/