Takeda Wing to Open at the Oxford Centre for Diabetes

Main Category: Diabetes
Article Date: 07 Feb 2004 - 0:00 PDT

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Takeda Chemical Industries, Ltd. (TSE: 4502) announced today that a new research facility at the Oxford Centre for Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism ('OCDEM', Oxford, UK) was opened and named the 'Takeda Wing'.

This has been under construction with Takeda's donation based on the five year partnership starting June 2002.

The OCDEM, a collaboration between the University of Oxford, the National Health Service (NHS), and three partner companies, including Takeda, is a world-class centre for fundamental and clinical research on diabetes and endocrine and metabolic disorders, along with clinical treatment and education.

The Centre was founded in 1999 to synergize specialist functions and integrate research into the identification and treatment of illnesses, and the opening of the Takeda Wing will roll out the facilities and functions envisioned by the OCDEM.

Representatives from Takeda, the Takeda Europe Research & Development Centre Ltd., University of Oxford, and NHS attended the inauguration ceremony in Oxford, UK, to celebrate the opening of the Wing and to affirm their commitment to building an interdisciplinary collaborative structure for joint research and to dispatching researchers to OCDEM to collaborate in the expansion of the centre's R&D activities.

'We are truly delighted to be able to contribute to research as a partner with this world-class diabetes research centre.' said Dr. Takashi Soda, a member of the board and General Manager of Pharmaceutical Research Division of Takeda, in his speech at the inauguration ceremony.

'It is our hope that the opening of the Takeda Wing will further assist the progress of the OCDEM and research on patient-oriented treatments for diabetes.'

Professor David Matthews, Chairman of the OCDEM, remarked that, 'This is another great leap forward for us: the ongoing partnership with Takeda will strengthen our science base and expand our potential for research and discovery. We are delighted with the strengthening and continuing cooperation and liaison.'

Takeda is focusing on the research and development of diabetes and related fields as one of the core therapeutic areas, having several compounds in clinical development stage.

Takeda is the originator of thiazolidinedione derivatives for use in diabetes, and it's Actos(R) (Pioglitazone), a member of the thiazolidinedione class of 'insulin-sensitizing' agents, is sold in more than 60 countries worldwide being prescribed to over 4 million patients to date.

About Takeda Chemical Industries, Ltd.

Takeda is a research-based global company with its main focus on pharmaceuticals. As the largest pharmaceutical company in Japan and one of the industry's leaders worldwide, Takeda's management mission is 'to strive toward better health for individuals and progress in medicine by developing superior pharmaceutical products.'

In addition, Takeda aims to be 'a company that grows together with its stakeholders.' Takeda is actively engaged in social contribution activities aiming to become a good corporate citizen in the world. The partnership with OCDEM is one of the representative examples of Takeda's efforts to that effect. For further information, please visit the Takeda Chemical Industries, Ltd. home page at: www.takeda.co.jp/index-e.html

Contact:
Takeda Chemical Industries, Ltd.
Takeshi Ishida, Manager, Public Relations
ishida_takeshi@takeda.co.jp
81 6 6204 2060 (Japan)

Original article:
http://www.japancorp.net/Article.Asp?Art_ID=6462

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