Takeda and Teva Partner To Market Rasagiline In Japan
By Cyndi Root
Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited announced in a press release that it has partnered with Teva Pharmaceutical Industries to commercialize rasagiline in Japan. A Teva product, rasagiline is for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease (PD). The drug is approved in over 40 countries and is established as safe and effective.
Dr. Michael Hayden, Teva’s President of Global R&D and CSO said, “This agreement represents Teva’s continued commitment to introducing our innovative medicines to patients in Japan.” Nancy Joseph-Ridge, M.D., General Manager of Takeda’s Pharmaceutical Development Division said, “It is estimated there are about 150,000-180,000 people diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in Japan, many of whom are waiting for a new treatment option.”
Takeda and Teva Partnership
Teva and Takeda partnered in December of 2013 to develop glatiramer acetate (brand name Copaxone) for multiple sclerosis. While working together, the two companies recognized an unmet need in Japan for Parkinson’s disease treatment, which led to this new agreement. Takeda will market rasagiline tablets in Japan and will submit a new drug application to Japanese regulatory authorities. The companies did not reveal the financial details of the new agreement or the 2013 agreement.
Rasagiline
Rasagiline is marketed globally as Azilect, and a brand name is not yet approved in Japan. Rasagiline is a monoamine oxidase B (MAO-B) inhibitor. It is thought to act on synaptic dopamine in the brain, increasing the available supply, and improving motor skills. Rasagiline may be taken for symptoms of the disease alone or in combination with levodopa. Common side effects are joint pain, indigestion, depression, and flu symptoms. When taken with levodopa, patients may experience uncontrolled movement, weight loss, and vomiting, along with other mild to moderate side effects.
Teva and Takeda
Teva Pharmaceutical Industries is headquartered in Israel. It markets products in over 60 countries. It focuses on CNS diseases like Parkinson’s, oncology, pain, and women's health. Teva has more than 1,000 drug products and revenue of $20 billion in 2013. Takeda is located in Osaka, Japan. It is the largest pharmaceutical company in Japan and markets products in over 100 countries, by itself and with marketing alliance partners.