Translating science into life-changing medicines

At Takeda, we are committed to bring better health and a brighter future to patients by translating science into life-changing medicines. Our research and developments efforts are focused on oncology, gastroenterology and central nervous system therapeutic areas, as well as vaccines.

We are committed to serve the needs of our patients, wherever they are. We are recognised as best-in-class because of agility and innovation, qualities that help us build a steady pipeline and deliver growth year on year.

Tell us how Takeda goes the extra mile for patients.

Patient-centricity is a key element of Takeda-ism. It is reflected in the way we do business and all our strategies revolve around patients.

One example of this is Takeda's Patient Assistance Programmes (PAP), which are a cornerstone of our bold, new Access to Medicines strategy. Our PAPs utilise an innovative, collaborative approach to optimise care and treatment benefits. They enable eligible patients to complete their entire course of treatment with some of our speciality medicines, even if they cannot afford to pay for it in full. We aim to introduce such programmes in several countries throughout the region in the coming months.

Do you feel there has been a change in the needs of patients in the healthcare sector? How does Takeda cater to it?

Healthcare is different from any other industry because of the high ethical implications - positive and negative - linked to people's well-being. Patients' needs have certainly changed over time, which has not only raised the bar for innovation, but also facilitated advanced and effective methods of communication and interaction with patients. At Takeda, we've become selective with our investments to maximise impact on patients, and our R&D division is targeted towards specific diseases and treatments.

Innovation is crucial to improving patient's health. It not only encourages new treatments, but also provides patients with access to medicines quickly in a cost-effective manner.

Tell us about your therapeutic areas and global health approach to vaccines.

The three core therapeutic areas at Takeda are disease areas related to oncology, gastroenterology (GI) and central nervous system (CNS). We are committed to being a global player in CNS, expanding our psychiatry portfolio and creating an anchor in neurology through partnership and co-development. Our focus is on patients with select neurological diseases who have no adequate treatments available. In addition, patients with select GI diseases are often are affected when young and otherwise healthy, busy with family and careers. As a long-time leader in this therapeutic area, we are continually seeking new ways to help them return to good health, and allow them to continue with their active lives. Going forward, our aspiration is to be a top 10 oncology company in 2025 and rank among the top five in haematological malignancies. By delivering more effective treatments for cancer, we aim to transform the outlook for millions of people around the world.

Vaccines save millions of lives each year and are among the most cost-effective health interventions ever developed. We are leveraging world-class capabilities to develop vaccine candidates against dengue virus and norovirus that can help save the lives of millions.

In the Arabian Gulf, we have carefully tailored our portfolio and focused our resources on core therapeutic areas - oncology and gastroenterology - enabling us to better serve unmet medical needs.

How does Takeda provide patients with the best healthcare solutions? Tell us about your research and development strategy.

At Takeda, we innovate with the greatest impact to be at the cutting edge of innovation for our three core therapeutic areas. We build on our deep scientific expertise through our strong track record of successes, and intend to continue discovering innovative new medicines. In addition, Takeda also recognises innovation in the industry through 'The Innovators in Science Award', which acknowledges Early Career Scientist and outstanding Senior Scientist's contributions to science.

Our R&D strategy is patient-centric and science-driven. With core focus on key therapeutic areas, our R&D strategies focus on the best science that can deliver true innovation for patients. We not only build deep expertise in our core therapeutic areas, but also strengthen our pipeline and create an inspiring culture.

Could you tell us about your pharmaceutical supply chain initiative and sustainable procurement approach?

Takeda joined the Pharmaceutical Supply Chain Initiative (PSCI) in 2015 to leverage the collective, collaborative strength of the industry and its suppliers to make sustainable improvements in the supply chain. Takeda's Supplier Code of Conduct aligns with the PSCI principles, and suppliers to Takeda can expect to experience a PSCI-type audit, if requested.

Given Takeda's global reach, ensuring the sustainable procurement of our goods and services is paramount. As such, we ensure that our suppliers conduct business in the same manner we do - with a focus on social, environmental and economic good. It is a key element of our supply chain management process. It helps maintain our pledge to act with integrity, fairness, honesty and perseverance.

As we near the year 2020, healthcare tourism seems to be booming. What is Takeda's perspective on this phenomenon?

The UAE is one of the world's fastest growing medical tourism hubs poised to become the world's top destination. Over the years, the country has witnessed massive progress in healthcare. From an increase in the number of hospitals to pharmaceutical manufacturing companies and quality medical care, people from all over the world come to the UAE to get best medical treatments. Moreover, the city's growing popularity of being conducive to a family experience for those coming in for healthcare has been a big contributing factor.  

Considering the fast-paced growth that the country is experiencing in medical care, we are confident that the country is ready to welcome more medical tourists by rolling out plans to build more hospitals, train medical staff and recruit highly-qualified expatriate doctors and medical staff to deliver quality services. It is commendable that the UAE has shifted its focus from oil, and devised grand plans to ensure that the medical tourism industry contributes to the economic growth of the country.

Source: Khaleej Times