In the long history of diabetes treatment, both Sanofi and Takeda have brought to market numerous therapeutic drugs to treat diabetes over the years and have built up abundant knowledge and experience.
By establishing this partnership, the two companies aim to offer more treatment solutions and information to healthcare professionals addressing diversified medical needs of people with diabetes. Through the agreement the two companies will also be able to expand educational activities regarding the disease.
The 2012 National Health and Nutrition Survey by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare estimated that some 9.5 million Japanese are strongly suspected of having diabetes. The Ministry also predicts that the number of Japanese with diabetes will reach 15 million by 2025.
One in every four people in Japan is said to be pre-diabetic, and of those who are strongly suspected of be diabetic, approximately 30% have never received sufficient treatment, according to the survey results.
To address challenges faced by diabetes patients, their families, healthcare professionals and the government, the two companies will uphold a vision that we aim to become the most trusted partners of healthcare professionals and diabetes patients in Japan. The agreement will develop solutions focused in the following three areas:
- Raise public awareness of diabetes and educate on how to prevent diabetes, including lifestyle management.
- Provide educational support to patients to emphasize the importance of dietary and exercise therapies and appropriate drug treatment.
- Provide healthcare professionals with comprehensive information on diabetes care.
"Diabetes is too large and complex an issue for a single company, single doctor or single government to resolve on its own. Closely aligning efforts at all levels is essential to achieve a breakthrough in preventing, diagnosing and treating diabetes. To this end, we are excited to join forces with Takeda, Japan’s largest pharmaceutical company and a leader in diabetes, to create this new and unique agreement to expand existing and create new approaches to improving patient care and, ultimately, improving outcomes for Japanese living with diabetes," stated Jez Moulding, President and Representative Director, Sanofi K.K., Senior Vice President, Japan & Pacific Region
"Many effective solutions for diabetes treatment have been brought to market in the last 20 years, but many patients are still unable to meet their blood sugar control targets and many still experience complications," said Masato Iwasaki, Ph.D., Senior Vice President, Pharmaceutical Marketing Division of Takeda.
"This close agreement between two leading companies in the field of diabetes holds great significance for finding solutions for diabetes treatments based on a mutual understanding of each other’s vision and therapies. With such an excellent partner, we are confident that we will be better equipped to facilitate diabetes care for patients based on their individual needs."
The agreement involves no initial payment or other compensation. The manufacturing and marketing rights holder of each company’s respective products will conduct their own product promotion and collection and dissemination of product safety information.
In addition to this agreement, both parties agree to start formulation development studies of a fixed dose combination of tofogliflozin (product name: Apleway) and alogliptin (product name: Nesina).