SINGAPORE and OSAKA, Japan, Feb. 25, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited today announced the inauguration of its new office in Biopolis, Singapore. The expanded space will host key Takeda functions -- its Emerging Markets Business Unit headquarters, Takeda Development Center Asia and Vaccine Business Unit. Consolidating and streamlining Singapore operations into a centralized office will enhance efficiencies and enable Takeda to better understand and meet the needs of patients and customers in Asia.
As the epicenter of regional Emerging Markets, Singapore's geographical location and business environment allow Takeda to more easily focus on global clinical development activities, educational initiatives and collaboration with global commercial teams.
Speaking at Takeda's Inauguration Ceremony today, Dr. Beh Swan Gin, Chairman of the Singapore Economic Development Board, said, "EDB welcomes Takeda's decision to make Singapore its Emerging Markets Business Unit headquarters. Singapore has become the preferred location for international companies to locate their regional headquarters in Asia and South East Asia by harnessing our connectivity to the markets around us and our attractive work-live-play-learn environment. But we are not resting on our laurels as we are actively expanding the network and sophistication of professional services firms that support senior decision makers in these regional headquarters."
Takeda has maintained a presence in Asia-Pacific for more than 50 years, and entered Singapore in 2008. Operations in the region include 1,700 staff in 10 countries. Expansion in Asia is a core component of Takeda's long-term growth strategies, helping the company to emerge as a top 10 pharmaceutical player in Asia-Pacific.
The new office will house the Takeda Emerging Markets Business Unit, including Asia-Pacific, as well as the Takeda Vaccine Business Unit and the regional Research and Development Center.
"Our patients are the core of what we do at Takeda. Our new space in Singapore will allow us to more quickly address evolving market needs throughout the rapidly growing Emerging Markets, including Asia-Pacific," said Giles Platford, President, Emerging Markets Business Unit. "It gives us close-to-door access to important market information that will help accelerate the development of medicines needed for battling regional and global health issues."
Takeda's decision to relocate the central hub of its Emerging Markets Business Unit demonstrates its dedication to propel the momentum of the Emerging Markets business and the importance of the Asia-Pacific region as a pillar of Takeda's long-term growth strategy.
The Vaccine Business Unit based in Singapore hosts a laboratory for analytics and development of vaccines to protect against important infectious diseases in the region. One vaccine targets dengue fever and will soon enter phase 3 clinical trials.
Takeda's Development function is responsible for clinical studies across 12 countries in Asia, supporting clinical activities for compounds in Takeda's key therapeutic areas.
"Asia is a dynamic continent with four billion people across dozens of countries. Many Asian countries are facing the reality of rapidly aging populations and related health issues," Platford added. "This move in Singapore places us to further strengthen Takeda's commercial position and clinical development capabilities globally."
About Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited
Located in Osaka, Japan, Takeda is a research-based global company with its main focus on pharmaceuticals. As the largest pharmaceutical company in Japan and one of the global leaders of the industry, Takeda is committed to strive towards better health for people worldwide through leading innovation in medicine. Additional information about Takeda is available through its corporate website, www.takeda.com .