Takeda to Acquire IDM Pharma, Adding MEPACT(R) (Mifamurtide), the First Treatment Approved for Osteosarcoma in More Than 20 Years, to Its Oncology...(a Pharmaceuticals Europe Limited Takeda'...),Health

"The European approval of MEPACT was the result of decades of research and most importantly the dedication of patients and their families whose involvement in the Phase 3 clinical trial was integral to providing access to the first new osteosarcoma treatment in more than 20 years," added Timothy P. Walbert, president and chief executive officer IDM Pharma. "Our goal has been to improve the lives of cancer patients by developing therapies that meet significant unmet treatment needs - Takeda shares this goal. We expect that the significant progress we've made with MEPACT during the last two years will continue to be met in osteosarcoma and other difficult to treat cancers."

About MEPACT

The Phase 3 MEPACT trial was the largest study ever completed in osteosarcoma, enrolling approximately 800 patients. The study evaluated patient outcomes with the addition of MEPACT to three- or four-drug adjuvant chemotherapy (cisplatin, doxorubicin, and methotrexate with or without ifosfamide). Results demonstrated that the addition of MEPACT to chemotherapy resulted in approximately a 30 percent decrease in the risk of death with 78 percent of patients surviving after six years of follow-up after treatment with MEPACT. MEPACT was well tolerated.

MEPACT was granted orphan medicinal product status in Europe in 2004 and under European pharmaceutical legislation is entitled to a period of 10 years market exclusivity in respect of the approved indication.

MEPACT Important Safety Information

Safety of MEPACT has been assessed in studies of patients 2 to 30 years of age at initial diagnosis of osteosarcoma. The most common side effects were anemia, anorexia, headac
'/>"/>