Novartis signs Vaxem-Hib agreement with Takeda
Novartis has entered the Japanese vaccines market with an agreement with the Takeda Pharmaceutical Company, which will sell its Vaxem-Hib vaccine for the prevention of infection caused by Haemophilus influenzae type B (Hib).
Novartis has entered the Japanese vaccines market with an agreement with the Takeda Pharmaceutical Company, which will sell its Vaxem-Hib vaccine for the prevention of infection caused by Haemophilus influenzae type B (Hib).
Under the terms of the agreement Novartis will manufacture the vaccine and supply it to Takeda, which will obtain exclusive rights to market the drug in Japan.
Takeda will pay Novartis 100 million Yen (£656m) upfront plus milestones and royalties.
Every year in Japan, more than 450 children under the age of five are affected by Hib meningitis, which WHO estimates causes around 360,000 deaths each year worldwide.
Andrin Oswald, chief executive of Novartis Vaccines and Diagnostics, said: "Vaxem-Hib is the first of many vaccines that Novartis hopes to bring to Japan to help improve public health and address unmet medical needs."
Japan is the world's third largest vaccine market valued at US$640m and is expected to grow further.