Baxter to licence Vero cell-based influenza vaccine technology to Takeda

US specialty drugs maker Baxter International has eneterd into a deal with Japnese drug researcher Takeda, expanding a previous collaboration that will now include marketing Vero cell culture-based influenza vaccines into the Japanese market. Through its subsidiaries, diversified healthcare company Baxter develops, manufactures and markets products for haemophilia, immune disorders, infectious diseases, kidney disease, trauma, and other chronic and acute medical conditions.

Located in Osaka, Japan, Takeda is a research-based global company with its main focus on pharmaceuticals.

Under the terms of the deal, Baxter will exclusively license to Takeda its proprietary Vero cell-based influenza vaccine technology for the Japanese market. Baxter said the two companies will jointly pursue development and licensure of an H5N1 influenza vaccine in Japan.

''The agreement with Takeda is an important milestone in extending the field of cell culture-based vaccine development and production,'' said Robert L. Parkinson, Jr., chairman and chief executive officer of Baxter. ''We believe our joint efforts will help support Japan's public health efforts, particularly in the high-priority area of pandemic preparedness.''

With assistance from Baxter, Takeda will obtain funding from the Japanese government for the construction of a Vero cell-based influenza manufacturing facility in Japan.

Baxter will transfer its technology to enable Takeda to manufacture the H5N1 influenza vaccine at full-scale by the end of Takeda's 2013 fiscal year, ending 31 March 2014.