Under the agreement, Takeda will improve its vaccine production facilities to the point where it can supply the government with an extra eight million people’s doses in the event of a flu pandemic.
The company’s New Drug Application (NDA) for the vaccine was approved earlier this month by the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare.
The vaccine is manufactured using Baxter’s Vero cell technology rather than traditional chicken eggs, which the company says will allow fast scaling-up for swift production in case of an emergency outbreak.
“We are pleased that Takeda was selected as a recipient of the latest subsidy, and believe this is a validation of the company’s performance under the previous subsidy programs,” said Rajeev Venkayya, head of Takeda’s vaccines division.