$38 million Gates Foundation grant for Takeda to support polio eradication

Japan’s largest drugmaker Takeda Pharmaceutical (TYO: 4502) has entered into a partnership with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to support global polio eradication in developing countries by developing a crucial, low-cost polio vaccine.

Under the terms of the agreement, the Gates Foundation will provide a $38 million grant to Takeda to leverage its innovative vaccine manufacturing platform to develop and license a safe and effective Sabin-strain inactivated polio vaccine, and make at least 50 million doses per year available at an affordable price for developing countries receiving support from GAVI, the vaccine alliance.

Takeda’s sIPV was originally licensed from the Japan Polio Research Institute, which is now a part of BIKEN. The vaccine has already completed mid-stage Phase II trials, and once it has been fully developed, tested and licensed, it will be manufactured at Takeda's facility in Hikari, Japan.

“Takeda’s polio program demonstrates our commitment to tackle the most important public health problems and promote access for the populations in greatest need, joining our programs in dengue, norovirus, and hand, foot and mouth disease,” said Rajeev Venkayya, president of Takeda’s Vaccine Business unit.