PETRI DISH PERSPECTIVES

Burma | Chicago
Scientist 🥼🧪🔬
Covering biotech, pharma, and healthcare companies shaping the world 🧬🏥🌎

Stream new episodes every THURSDAY!

https://linktr.ee/maneadkhin

#biotech #pharma #healthcare #podcast #petridishperspectives

All Episodes

PETRI DISH PERSPECTIVES

Episode 22: Takeda

September 25, 2025 • Manead Khin • Season 1 • Episode 22

Send us a text

From its humble beginnings in 1781 as a family-run herbal medicine shop in Osaka to becoming one of the world’s top 10 pharmaceutical companies, Takeda’s story is one of resilience, reinvention, and bold transformation.

In this episode of Petri Dish Perspectives: Biotech Unleashed, host Manead unpacks Takeda’s 240-year journey, from the vision of founder Chobei Takeda, through the blockbuster eras of Prevacid and Actos, to the game-changing acquisition of Shire under CEO Christophe Weber. We’ll dive into the discovery stories behind Takeda’s most important drugs, the leaders who left their mark, and the lessons this Japanese giant offers on balancing tradition with global ambition.

Whether you’re fascinated by pharma history, curious about blockbuster drug stories, or want to understand how one company bridged centuries of medicine, this episode has it all.

🎧 Listen now, stay curious, and don’t forget to subscribe for new episodes every Thursday!

https://linktr.ee/maneadkhin

#Takeda #BiotechPodcast #PharmaHistory #DrugDiscovery #HealthcareInnovation #RareDiseases #BiotechUnleashed #PetriDishPerspectives

Support the show

Hello and welcome to Petri Dish Perspectives: Biotech Unleashed, the podcast where we geek out about science and the companies shaping the future of healthcare. I’m your host, Manead, and I’m a PhD scientist by training, biotech storyteller by choice. With every new episode released on Thursday, my goal is to deliver digestible pieces of information on healthcare companies under 30 mins.

Takeda is not just another pharmaceutical company. It’s Japan’s oldest pharma, with roots stretching back to 1781, and today it stands as one of the top 10 drugmakers in the world. Its story is one of heritage, reinvention, and bold decisions that redefined what a Japanese family business could become.

Why listen to this episode? Takeda's journey shows how centuries-old values can coexist with high-stakes innovation, global expansion, and blockbuster drug development. Pay attention to how Takeda moved from a herbal apothecary to a global biotech leader and the leadership decisions that shaped its path.

Quick disclaimer, I give full credit to the original articles cited in the references in the transcript!

Grab a coffee or tea, settle in, and let’s jump in!

Segment 1 – Founding and Origins

Takeda’s story begins in 1781, in Osaka, one of Japan’s busiest trading hubs during the late Edo period. This was a time when Japan was still a closed society under the Tokugawa shogunate, with limited contact with the outside world. Medicine was a mix of Kampo (traditional Japanese herbal practice, rooted in Chinese medicine) and a small but growing influence of “Rangaku,” or Dutch learning, which brought snippets of Western science through the port of Nagasaki.

Into this environment stepped Chobei Takeda I, a young merchant with an eye for opportunity and a reputation for honesty. He began trading in traditional herbal medicines imported from China, such as ginseng, rhubarb root, and other remedies prized by local physicians and patients. At the time, counterfeit or diluted medicines were common, and the health of patients often depended on whether a supplier could be trusted. Chobei differentiated himself by insisting on quality and authenticity, building strong relationships with doctors who relied on his integrity. That commitment to trust became the foundation of what would later be called “Takeda.”

The business was passed down from father to son, with each successive Chobei Takeda from II through VIII expanding the scope of the family enterprise. They kept detailed records, codified sourcing practices, and gradually built Takeda’s reputation as the most reliable supplier in the Osaka merchant community.

By the late 1800s, Japan underwent a dramatic transformation. The Meiji Restoration of 1868 opened the country to the West after centuries of isolation. The government pushed modernization, including Western medicine, which began to displace traditional herbal practices in hospitals. The Takeda family once again recognized the change early. By the 1890s, they were importing Western pharmaceuticals like quinine, used for malaria, and morphine, a modern painkiller, and supplying them to Japanese physicians. This pivot from purely herbal remedies to Western medicine marked the family’s first great reinvention.

The next leap came in 1914, when Takeda established its first in-house manufacturing plant. No longer content to just import and distribute, the company began producing its own pharmaceuticals domestically. One of its early focuses was on vitamins, which were in rising demand as nutrition science advanced. This was a crucial step: Takeda was no longer just a trading house; it was becoming a modern pharmaceutical manufacturer.

Through the upheavals of the early 20th century, including World War I, the Great Kanto Earthquake of 1923, and the turbulent interwar years, Takeda steadily expanded. By mid-century, it had become one of Japan’s most trusted suppliers of essential medicines. Unlike many firms that collapsed during these turbulent decades, Takeda endured by constantly balancing heritage and modernization: honoring its roots as a family merchant house while embracing new science and production methods.

By the time Japan entered its post–World War II economic boom, Takeda was well-positioned as the pharmaceutical company that could bridge centuries of tradition with modern industrial strength.

Segment 2 – Growth into a Pharma Powerhouse

The 20th century was a turning point. After World War II, Japan underwent rapid industrialization, and Takeda grew alongside it. In 1949, Takeda went public on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, raising capital to fuel research and development.

In the 1960s–70s, Takeda expanded its research footprint. This was the era when antibiotics and vitamins were household names, and Takeda played a major role in providing them domestically. But it was in the 1980s and 90s that Takeda truly stepped into the global spotlight.

Key discoveries and launches included:

Prevacid (lansoprazole) – Launched in 1994, Prevacid was part of a new class of drugs called proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), designed to reduce stomach acid more effectively than older treatments like antacids or H2 blockers (for example, ranitidine). The development of PPIs revolutionized the management of acid reflux, ulcers, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), conditions that affect millions worldwide. Prevacid was one of the early major PPIs, alongside AstraZeneca’s Prilosec. It worked by irreversibly blocking the H+/K+ ATPase enzyme system in the stomach lining, shutting down acid production at its root cause. For patients with chronic heartburn, bleeding ulcers, or esophageal damage from reflux, it was life-changing. Commercially, Prevacid became a blockbuster, with sales peaking in the billions annually. It established Takeda as a global leader in gastroenterology, a reputation the company continues to lean on today with Entyvio. Prevacid also marked one of Takeda’s first true “global” products, widely prescribed in both Japan and the United States.
Actos (pioglitazone) – Approved in 1999, Actos belonged to the thiazolidinedione (TZD) class of drugs, which help patients with type 2 diabetes by improving insulin sensitivity. Unlike drugs that stimulated insulin production, Actos targeted the root metabolic dysfunction, making it attractive for long-term management of diabetes. For a time, Actos was a megablockbuster, generating more than $3 billion per year at its peak. It was especially important in the early 2000s as global rates of type 2 diabetes soared, particularly in the U.S. However, Actos also highlighted the dark side of blockbusters. Over the years, studies and lawsuits raised concerns about potential links between Actos use and bladder cancer. While regulators allowed it to remain on the market, the controversy eroded trust and weighed on sales. For Takeda, Actos was both a triumph, proving it could compete in the global diabetes market, and a cautionary tale about the risks of heavy reliance on a single blockbuster.

These drugs not only brought revenue but also positioned Takeda as a global innovator. By the 2000s, Takeda was no longer just Japan’s pharmaceutical leader, it was competing globally.

Segment 3 – Expansion Through Acquisitions

As patents expired on Prevacid and Actos, Takeda faced a classic “patent cliff.” To stay competitive, it turned to global expansion.

The first bold step came in 2008, with the acquisition of Millennium Pharmaceuticals, a Cambridge, Massachusetts biotech. Millennium had pioneered Velcade (bortezomib), the first-in-class proteasome inhibitor for multiple myeloma. Velcade became a major oncology blockbuster and gave Takeda a strong U.S. research hub. Importantly, Millennium’s biotech culture introduced Takeda to cutting-edge cancer drug discovery and diversified it beyond its traditional GI and diabetes focus.

Then, in 2011, Takeda acquired Nycomed, a Swiss pharmaceutical company, for $13 billion. This deal gave Takeda a global commercial presence in over 70 countries and expanded its portfolio in respiratory and dermatology.

But the most transformative move came in 2019, when Takeda acquired Shire, the Irish-headquartered rare disease company, for $62 billion. This was Japan’s largest-ever foreign takeover. Shire’s portfolio included drugs for hemophilia, immunology, and rare genetic disorders, instantly boosting Takeda’s pipeline.

The deal was controversial in Japan. Many shareholders feared the company was taking on too much debt and abandoning its identity. But CEO Christophe Weber, the first non-Japanese CEO of Takeda, believed it was necessary to keep Takeda competitive on a global scale. The acquisition turned Takeda into a top-10 global pharma player almost overnight.

Segment 4 – Science, Blockbusters, Finances, and Culture

Takeda’s therapeutic focus today rests on four pillars: gastroenterology, oncology, neuroscience, and rare diseases.

Entyvio (vedolizumab) – Entyvio, approved in 2014, represents Takeda’s crown jewel in the modern era. It’s a monoclonal antibody designed for ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease, both chronic inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) with limited treatment options. What makes Entyvio special is its gut-selective mechanism of action. Unlike broader immunosuppressants, Entyvio specifically targets the α4β7 integrin, a protein that guides immune cells into the gut. By blocking this pathway, Entyvio reduces gut inflammation while avoiding systemic immune suppression, meaning patients face fewer risks of infections compared to older biologics. This precision turned Entyvio into a blockbuster of blockbusters, generating over $5 billion annually. It has become Takeda’s flagship product, solidifying its dominance in gastroenterology decades after Prevacid. For Takeda’s long-term strategy, Entyvio is the anchor drug, a durable, specialty-care product with growth potential across global markets.
Velcade (bortezomib) - Velcade’s story predates Takeda, it was developed by Millennium Pharmaceuticals in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Approved in 2003, Velcade was the first proteasome inhibitor, a novel class of cancer drugs. By blocking the cell’s “protein recycling machine” (the proteasome), Velcade caused toxic proteins to accumulate in cancer cells, leading to their death. Velcade was a breakthrough for multiple myeloma, a deadly blood cancer with few options at the time. It quickly became a frontline therapy and remains a cornerstone of myeloma treatment today. When Takeda acquired Millennium in 2008 for all cash transaction of $8.8B, Velcade became one of its most important assets, cementing its entry into oncology. Beyond sales, Velcade gave Takeda a reputation in cancer innovation and provided the scientific foundation for its future myeloma drugs, like Ninlaro.
Ninlaro (ixazomib) – Building on Velcade’s success, Takeda developed Ninlaro, approved in 2015. It was the first oral proteasome inhibitor, giving patients a more convenient option compared to Velcade’s injectable form. For myeloma patients, this was transformative, as treatment often stretches for years. Ninlaro hasn’t reached the same commercial heights as Velcade but represents Takeda’s ability to innovate beyond acquired assets. It extended Takeda’s myeloma franchise and showed the company could take first-generation breakthroughs and make them more patient-friendly.
Rare disease drugs from Shire –The 2019 acquisition of Shire brought Takeda an entirely new dimension: rare diseases and plasma-derived therapies. Side note, if you remember from the Baxter episode, Shire was the one that acquired Baxalta which was originally part of Baxter. Talk about a small world even in the pharma landscape. Shire was a leader in hemophilia, genetic disorders, and immunology, with a portfolio that included:
Adynovate – a long-acting treatment for hemophilia A, designed to reduce bleeding episodes.
Cinryze and Takhzyro – treatments for hereditary angioedema (HAE), a rare genetic condition that causes dangerous swelling.
Vpriv – for Gaucher disease, a lysosomal storage disorder.
Elaprase – for Hunter syndrome, another rare genetic condition.
These therapies may not reach the sales levels of blockbusters like Entyvio, but they are critical, often lifesaving for patients with few options. They also gave Takeda a strategic moat: by focusing on rare diseases, Takeda positioned itself in a space with high unmet need, strong pricing power, and fewer competitors.
Financially, Takeda’s acquisitions created both opportunity and risk. The Shire deal saddled it with nearly $30 billion in debt, forcing Takeda to sell off non-core businesses. But by sharpening its focus on specialty care, Takeda has stabilized revenues above $30 billion annually.

Segment 5 – People Who Made Their Mark

One individual stand out in Takeda’s long history:

Christophe Weber’s arrival at Takeda in 2014 marked a turning point in the company’s history. A French national with a career built at GlaxoSmithKline, Weber brought something Takeda had never seen before: a non-Japanese leader at the helm of Japan’s most storied pharmaceutical company. His appointment symbolized both risk and opportunity.

Weber began his career as a pharmacist, trained in Lyon, France, and later earned his MBA from INSEAD. At GlaxoSmithKline, he rose steadily through the ranks, gaining a reputation as a sharp strategist and a global operator. His assignments spanned Europe, Asia, and the U.S., giving him the cross-cultural fluency that would later prove essential at Takeda.

When he joined Takeda, Weber was tasked with modernizing a company still deeply rooted in its Japanese traditions. Many saw him as an outsider, and his early days weren’t easy. But Weber approached the role with both pragmatism and boldness. He focused on streamlining operations, globalizing Takeda’s R&D, and placing a stronger emphasis on innovation-driven growth rather than incremental expansion.

His defining move came in 2019 with the acquisition of Shire, a bold, high-risk, high-reward bet. The deal was controversial, especially in Japan, where many shareholders feared the company was overreaching. But Weber argued passionately that without this step, Takeda risked becoming a mid-tier regional company rather than a true global leader. The acquisition vaulted Takeda into the top ranks of global pharma, dramatically expanding its portfolio into rare diseases, hematology, and neuroscience.

Under Weber’s leadership, Takeda has repositioned itself as a global powerhouse, but he has also worked hard to preserve the company’s Japanese roots, emphasizing the values of patient-centricity, integrity, and long-term vision that have guided Takeda for over 240 years. His tenure is often seen as a balancing act between tradition and transformation, symbolizing Takeda’s evolution into a modern, multinational force while honoring the legacy of the Takeda family.

Segment 6 – Lessons from Takeda

Takeda’s journey offers several lessons for entrepreneurs, scientists, and business leaders:

Longevity requires reinvention – Takeda survived 240 years not by staying the same, but by constantly adapting from herbal remedies to Western medicine to cutting-edge biotech.
Global leadership requires bold bets – The Shire acquisition was risky, but without it, Takeda risked irrelevance against giants like Pfizer or Novartis.
Culture matters as much as science – “Takeda-ism” has anchored the company through wars, recessions, and globalization, showing how values can guide tough decisions.
Leaders must balance heritage with innovation – From Chobei’s herbal shop to Weber’s international strategy, Takeda shows that success comes from honoring tradition while embracing the future.

Segment 7: What’s Next for Takeda?

So, what lies ahead for Takeda?

Today, Takeda stands as one of the world’s top 10 pharmaceutical companies, with over 50,000 employees and operations in more than 80 countries. But like any pharma giant, the road ahead is defined by scientific bets, strategic shifts, and a race against time as patents expire and competition grows fiercer.

Takeda’s future rests on a few key pillars. The first is gastroenterology, their crown jewel. Entyvio continues to expand its reach, with new formulations like subcutaneous delivery opening broader markets. Takeda is also investing heavily in next-generation gut therapies, aiming to maintain leadership in this space long-term.

The second pillar is oncology. With drugs like Velcade and Ninlaro, Takeda established itself as a serious player, but the oncology field is evolving fast. Takeda is betting on immuno-oncology, novel targeted therapies, and precision medicine approaches to sustain growth.

A third major focus is rare diseases, inherited largely from the Shire acquisition. Here, Takeda is doubling down on treatments for hematology, immunology, and metabolic disorders. This is a space where Takeda believes it can differentiate, leveraging both its scientific expertise and its global infrastructure to serve small patient populations that many companies overlook.

But what’s especially interesting is Takeda’s push into gene and cell therapies. They’ve invested in platforms for gene editing, gene transfer, and regenerative medicine, areas that could redefine the company in the decades ahead.

By the time the episode was recorded, Takeda’s stock price sits at $14.98 and their market cap is close to $48B. According to Glassdoor, for PhDs at entry-level roles like Postdoctoral Fellow or Associate Scientist might be $90,000 - $130,000 per year, while more experienced scientist positions can reach over $150,000 to $240,000+. Culturally, Takeda maintains a unique identity, rooted in values of integrity, fairness, honesty, and perseverance, and remains central. Yet with Weber at the helm and international R&D hubs in Boston, Zurich, and Singapore, Takeda now operates as a truly global company, blending its Japanese heritage with international ambition.

Closing / Summary

Takeda’s story is unlike any other in biotech. From an Osaka merchant’s herbal medicine shop in 1781 to one of the world’s largest pharma companies, it has endured for nearly two and a half centuries.

Its history is one of adaptation, importing Western medicine, launching blockbusters like Prevacid and Actos, acquiring biotech innovators like Millennium, and making bold global moves with Shire. At its heart, though, Takeda remains committed to values that go back to its founder: integrity, trust, and perseverance.

As it looks to the future with a pipeline in GI, oncology, rare diseases, and neuroscience Takeda stands as a symbol of resilience and reinvention. A company born in the Edo era of Japan now shapes the future of global biotech.

References

Manead Khin

Host