Takeda sets up new subsidiaries to expand its operations in Mexico, Turkey and five other countries in Europe

Leading Japanese drugmaker Takeda Pharmaceutical says it will establish four new commercial subsidiaries covering Mexico, Turkey, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Belgium and Luxembourg. The new subsidiaries - Takeda Pharmaceuticals Mexico, Takeda Pharmaceuticals Trade (Turkey), Takeda Pharmaceuticals Nordics AB (Sweden), and Takeda Pharmaceuticals Benelux SPRL (Belgium) - are part of Takeda's strategic global expansion efforts.

"Takeda has a significant opportunity to expand our presence in Mexico, Europe and other priority markets," said Alan MacKenzie, executive vice president, international operations, at Takeda Pharmaceuticals International. "Executing our territory expansion strategy is an important step toward further globalizing our operations and enhancing our ability to bring important medicines to patients who need them," he noted.

The Mexican pharmaceutical market is the 12th largest in the world and accounts for approximately 25% of the pharmaceutical sales throughout Latin America. The population in Mexico is increasing, and access to health care continues to grow, with the market increasing faster than in the USA and Europe, making it a key region for Takeda's expansion, the company said.

Nordics and Benelux are strategically important regions in Europe - Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Belgium and Luxembourg have a combined pharmaceutical market size which accounts for 5% of the European pharmaceutical market. Following the buy-back of its diabetes drug Actos (pioglitazone) in October 2008, Takeda will be distributing the drug in the five countries. The creation of these commercial subsidiaries will further increase Takeda's reach in the regions, the firm contends.

The Turkish pharmaceutical market is one of the largest global sectors, ranked sixth in Europe and 13th worldwide with the fastest forecasted growth rate in Europe over the next five years. Takeda also recently re-acquired the rights to Actos in this market, providing the business with a strong product with which to enter the market.

Overall, the new subsidiaries will accelerate Takeda's expansion efforts for core products including Actos and reinforces its global operating infrastructure. The company will work toward the earliest possible approval and launch of new products in these regions, it says.