Takeda Expands COVID-19 Vaccine Supply in Japan Through Partnership with Moderna and Government of Japan
- Three-way agreement among Takeda, Moderna, and the Government of Japan’s Ministry of Health Labour and Welfare (MHLW) to bring Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine candidate (mRNA-1273) to Japan
- Takeda will import and distribute 50 million doses of mRNA-1273 in Japan from the first half of 2021
- Adds to Takeda’s partnership to manufacture and supply Novavax’ COVID-19 vaccine in Japan
- Expands Takeda’s support of pandemic preparedness in Japan
OSAKA, Japan: Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited has announced that it will import and distribute 50 million doses of Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine candidate, mRNA-1273, starting in the first half of 2021, pending licensure in Japan. This effort is part of a three-way agreement among Takeda, Moderna and the Government of Japan’s Ministry of Health Labour and Welfare (MHLW). Moderna has previously announced that the 30,000 participant Phase 3 clinical trial of mRNA-1273 at the 100 µg dose level in the U.S. is fully enrolled.
This follows Takeda’s recent announcement that it is establishing the capability to manufacture Novavax’ COVID‑19 vaccine candidate at its facilities in Japan to provide long-term supply to the Japanese population. Takeda’s efforts to bring Moderna’s and Novavax’ COVID-19 vaccine candidates to Japan are supported by the MHLW and the Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development (AMED).
“Takeda is collaborating with the Japanese Government and vaccine developers to provide rapid and sustained access to COVID-19 vaccines in Japan,” said Rajeev Venkayya, M.D., President of the Global Vaccine Business Unit, Takeda. “We have chosen to work with Novavax and Moderna, both of which have promising vaccine candidates, and will continue to support the global response to COVID-19 through R&D efforts across Takeda.”
Under the terms of the new agreement with the MHLW and Moderna, Takeda will be responsible for securing the necessary regulatory approvals prior to distributing 50 million doses of Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine candidate in Japan. Moderna will provide the finished products and will support Takeda with its development and regulatory efforts.
