Baxter, Takeda Complete Deal on Influenza Vaccines

Baxter International Inc. in Deerfield, Illinois and Takeda Pharmaceutical Company in Osaka, Japan said today they completed a development, license, and technology transfer agreement to bring Baxter’s Vero cell culture-based influenza vaccines to the Japanese market. This agreement expands on the companies’ current collaborations involving cell-based flu vaccines.

Under the agreement, Baxter will exclusively license to Takeda its Vero cell-based influenza vaccine technology for the Japanese market. At the same time, the companies will jointly pursue development and licensing of an H5N1 influenza (Avian flu) vaccine in Japan.

Baxter will transfer technology for Takeda to manufacture the H5N1 influenza vaccine at full-scale by the end of Takeda’s fiscal year ending 31 March 2014. The two companies will pursue funding from the Japanese government for the construction of a Vero cell-based influenza manufacturing facility in Japan in order to fully implement the agreement.

The agreement includes upfront cash payments to Baxter, as well as development cost reimbursements, payments upon the achievement of certain development, technology transfer, regulatory and commercial milestones, and royalties on the sale by Takeda of Vero cell-based influenza vaccines.

Photo: ZaldyImg/Flickr

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