Takeda’s nine-months sales up 4.6%

Japan’s largest drugmaker Takeda (TYO: 4502) loged a sales rise of 4.6% in April-December 2023 to 3,212.9 billion yen ($21.7 billion) as growth of its mainstay products and favorable currency moves helped it counter the loss of exclusivity of the attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) therapy Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine dimesylate) and other drugs.

Core operating profit for the current period was 865.6 billion yen, down 9.3%. The decrease was primarily due to a change in product mix and investments in various pipeline programs and data and technology. Core earnings per share (EPS) for the current period were 412 yen, down 9.7%.

The increase of these business areas was offset by the decrease in oncology and neuroscience. Although the decrease was partially mitigated by favorable foreign exchange rates, it was largely impacted by generic erosion and intensified competition on certain products in the current period. In addition, revenue outside of Takeda’s five key business areas decreased mainly due to lower revenue contribution from COVID-19 vaccines in Japan.