Takeda president to present keynote speech

Takeda’s president Yasuchika Hasegawa is to be a keynote luncheon speaker at the sixth annual Biotechnology Industry Organisation (Bio) Asia Partnering Conference.

Running from January 19th to 20th next year at the Grand Hyatt Tokyo in Japan, the event has been organised by the pharmaceutical company.

Jim Greenwood, president and chief executive officer of Bio, said the industry was “honoured” to have Yasuchika Hasegawa at the event.

He continued: “As one of the key leaders in our space, we look forward to Mr Hasegawa’s discussion regarding Takeda’s strategic approach in its business.”

Mr Hasegawa added the event is “an excellent platform” for the company to meet current partners again, in a bid to build relationships.

Billed as an “exclusive, customised partnering forum”, the event will see biotechnology businesses from Asia-Pacific, North America and Europe attending, who are interested in licensing agreements and collaborations.

The Bio Asia Partnering Conference this year attracted more than 550 professionals from more than 325 companies attending.

Last week, a US Food and Drug Administration advisory panel said it should approve Takeda’s experimental gout drug – as long as the agency requires further safety studies.

If endorsed, the company says the product would be the first new treatment for the arthritic disease in more than 40 years.