Takeda Ireland Limited

Source: Exec Digital UK

Date :21/05/2007 11:04:12

Takeda Ireland: Local delivery in global drugs supply

By John O’Hanlon and produced by Ben Weaver

Takeda-ism, defined as integrity, fairness, honesty and perseverance as the basis of all its business activities, is Takeda’s corporate philosophy. It is a good stance for a global drugs company operating in a market where the confidence of the medical profession, the regulatory authorities and the general public is all-important

Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited of Japan is committed to improving the health and quality of life of people around the world. Employing 14,500 people worldwide, Takeda discovers, develops, manufactures and markets a broad range of superior products. Takeda one of the world's top 100 companies, has subsidiaries and affiliates, including research and development, production, sales and marketing companies in the U.S., Europe and Asia.

In Ireland there are two wholly owned subsidiary plants. Takeda Ireland Limited (TIL) located in Bray, Co Wicklow manufactures solid oral dosage finished products, namely tablets and capsules. Takeda Pharma Ireland Limited (TPI) is Takeda’s new API (Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient) located in Grange Castle Business Park, Dublin. TPI will be the launch vehicle for new strategic products for global markets developing and producing API's from clinical trial stages through to launch and full commercialisation

Takeda Ireland Limited (TIL)

TIL was established in 1997 and began manufacturing in Ireland following the opening of its custom-built premises in Bray, Co. Wicklow in 1999. Since the first shipment of BLOPRESS/AMIAS in September of that year, it has served as Takeda's main Pharmaceutical production base for the European and U.S. markets. This early success was quickly followed by the construction of a new plant to enable the manufacture of Takeda's largest selling product (Lansoprazole). This facility was completed in 2000. As a dynamic and growing pharmaceutical company that is committed to improving the health and quality of life of people around the world.

Ireland advances

TIL was established at a time of rapid economic expansion when the Irish government and the Industrial Development Agency (IDA) was encouraging Foreign Direct Investment into Ireland through various initiatives and incentives says Tony Grannell, Director of Finance and Corporate Services. “That’s not the only reason for choosing Ireland, being in the Euro zone is very important too. The introduction of the Euro has reduced interest rates and minimised financial risk due to foreign exchange fluctuations. It has made Ireland a very stable place to locate a business. In Ireland we have a highly educated and very flexible young workforce, willing to take on new challenges.” The fact that Ireland is English speaking is another important factor for Takeda when it comes to communicating with the USA and internationally, he adds.

Being close to Dublin helps. Both Takeda Ireland and Takeda Pharma Ireland have not only been able to access trained and experienced staff from established chemical and pharmaceutical industries in the locality, but has established close links with local colleges and other third level institutions who have helped it grow its in-house training programmes. “There’s still a shortage of key skill sets in our industry, so we have taken a proactive stance. Our training programme for new staff has developed considerably over the last couple of years as we have expanded.

In the last number of years Ireland has gone through a period of rapid growth. Ireland today like other EU countries such as UK, Germany or Italy, needs to survive on its ability to compete globally. “Standards in the pharmaceuticals sector are higher than any other industry. It is very highly regulated. Anything you design or build has to comply with rules and regulations. “Good Manufacturing Practice” (GMP) principles are fundamental to the way we operate. For shipments to the US, TIL has been licensed and approved by the FDA( Food and Drug Administration) For Ireland and the EU the Irish Medicines Board is the regulatory authority for pharmaceutical in Ireland

For a company like ourselves, we need to continually look at our processes and see how they can be improved and made more efficient, at the same time adding value to the parent company. In those terms we are on a par with anyone in the world when it comes to efficiency. Running the operation 24 hours a day, seven days a week , means we certainly maximise the use of our assets!”

Supply sophistication

Ireland’s success in attracting pharmaceutical companies has given it a sophisticated infrastructure base too, Grannell continues. “13 of the 15 largest pharmaceutical companies in the world are now based in Ireland. That brings a lot of advantages. The advantage lies in the skill base of the Irish workers, which has become very technical and sophisticated. As a result, many suppliers to the big Pharma companies have based themselves here to sustain the growth of their own businesses. The supply chain is quite highly regulated too. All the raw materials have to be compliant and approved ” However size also counts, he admits. Being a part of Takeda ensures we benefit from faster delivery than might be available to a standalone company that might have to tag onto the end of the queue.

TIL has invested substantially in IT systems in the past number of years. TIL has fully integrated Manufacturing Execution systems (MES) (developed by Élan Software in France) into its operation and has recently implemented SAP for its Financials. These IT investments have facilitated and enabled the company to grow in terms of its ability to meet the higher demands. The SAP system has been globally integrated within Global Takeda, which has enabled the transfer of financial data in real time.

SAP has also facilitated the devolvement of the procurement function in terms of requisitioning and authorisation within TIL, through the Supplier Relationship Module (SRM)

A positive decade

Since production started in earnest in 1999 TIL has invested substantially in terms of people and capital Employee numbers have gone up from 100 to 400 and production output has likewise increased fourfold. In 2005 a completely new manufacturing facility was build and commissioned for Lansoprazole production.

We have just completed out mid-term plans and further investment is anticipated Takeda’s great strength lies in its research base, and growth in Ireland will inevitably depend on the success Takeda has in developing new blockbuster products and getting them approved in different global markets.

Takeda’s declared strategy for 2010 is to consolidate its position as a world class pharmaceutical business. It achieved that position largely through just four products, Leuprorelin, Lansoprazole, Candesartan and Pioglitazone, so not surprisingly it is going to prioritise its in-house R&D capabilities. This will ensure that it can repeat the success of these blockbuster products by developing new drugs. Takeda aims to realise sustainable growth and increased corporate value in the global marketplace by building on its strengths, it says.

Achieving the targets set in this Medium-Term Management Plan, with comprehensive improvement of strengths such as "establishment and in-depth implementation of strategies from a long-term perspective" and "high productivity and efficiency.

In summary at Takeda, we put people first - both the patients we serve through researching and developing superior products, and the employees who share our passion for making a difference.