BRIEF—Takeda to cease co-promotion of Xeljanz in Japan

Japan’s largest drugmaker Takeda Pharmaceutical today announced the termination of co-promotion of the oral JAK inhibitor rheumatoid arthritis product Xeljanz (tofacitinib citrate) tablets 5mg as of March 31, 2018.

Accordingly, Takeda will cease distribution of Xeljanz and US pharma giant Pfizer, the manufacturer of the product, will become the sole marketer as of April 1, 2018.

Since its launch in Japan in July 2013, Xeljanz has been co-promoted by Pfizer and Takeda, with Takeda responsible for distribution under a co-promotion agreement between the two companies.

Due to changes in the business environment, Pfizer and Takeda have decided to terminate the co-promotion and Takeda's distribution of the product.

The financial terms of this termination are not disclosed.

The two companies will continue to co-promote the rheumatoid arthritis product Enbrel (etanercept), with Takeda continuing to distribute it under the co-promotion agreement.