Takeda receives $38m grant to help eradicate polio

Takeda has received $38 million grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to support global polio eradication in developing countries.

With this funding, Takeda will develop, license and supply at least 50 million doses per year of Sabin-strain inactivated poliovirus vaccine (sIPV) to more than 70 developing countries. The vaccine will be manufactured at Takeda’s facility in Hikari, Japan.

Christophe Weber, President and CEO of Takeda, said: “Takeda is honoured to partner with the Gates Foundation to support the polio endgame. This represents a major commitment by a Japanese company to the health of children in developing countries around the world.”

50 million doses

Under the terms of the agreement, the Gates Foundation will provide a $38 million grant to Takeda to leverage its innovative vaccine manufacturing platform to develop and license a safe and effective sIPV, and make at least 50 million doses per year available at an affordable price for developing countries receiving Gavi support. Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, brings together public and private sectors with the shared goal of creating equal access to new and underused vaccines for children living in the world’s poorest countries. Takeda’s sIPV was originally licensed from the Japan Polio Research Institute, which is now a part of BIKEN.

Chris Elias, President, Global Development at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation stated, “In 2016, the world is closer than ever to eradicating polio. To eradicate polio we need to ensure every last child is protected from the disease – this partnership will help to ensure that the world has enough vaccine to get the job done and maintain a polio free world.”

Dr Rajeev Venkayya, President of Takeda’s Vaccine Business Unit, added: “We’re excited about this partnership with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and the potential to reach hundreds of millions of children around the globe as part of the final push to eradicate polio.”