Research & Development
Translating Science Into Highly Innovative, Life-changing Medicines
For more than 240 years, Takeda has focused on bringing better health and a brighter future to people around the world by translating science into life-changing medicines. Today, we are a top global biopharmaceutical innovator powered by approximately 50,000 people who come to work every day asking themselves the same question: How can we do more for patients?
With nearly 5,000 people focused in R&D, we do more for patients by translating science into highly innovative, life-changing medicines across our core Therapeutic Areas in Innovative Biopharma: Oncology, Rare Genetics and Hematology, Neuroscience and Gastroenterology. We have a singular focus on diseases affecting patient groups with the most urgent needs and for whom treatments do not exist or are not good enough.
Innovative Biopharma Focus Areas
Oncology
Takeda Oncology’s vision is to develop life-saving medicines as rapidly as possible. Our multi-disciplinary team works to conquer tumor biology and deliver treatments that will transform the lives of cancer patients who inspire us each and every day.
P.K. Morrow
Global Head, Oncology Therapeutic Area Unit
For nearly two and a half centuries, Takeda’s mission has been improving people's health. In oncology, we have built upon that heritage, developing and delivering transformative treatments for patients with hematologic and solid cancers. We’ve structured our organization to ensure a tight connection from research to development to commercialization — enabling us to rapidly bring transformative medicines to market and meet the needs of the cancer community.
We keep the patient at the heart of everything we do. Our team works with agility, collaboration and scientific rigor, and our day-to-day connections are marked by trust, respect and honesty. To succeed here, it takes a sense of urgency, because we know that what we do, today and tomorrow, has the power to change lives — and even save them.
Neuroscience
At Takeda, we are firmly committed to changing the treatment landscape for patients living with devastating neurological and neuromuscular diseases. We are focusing on diseases defined by genetics and metabolic pathways and are led by an inclusive, team-based approach with science and innovation at the core of everything we do.
Sarah Sheikh,
Head, Neuroscience Therapeutic Area Unit
Neuroscience is poised to reach a significant inflection point over the coming decade, and our team will be in the middle of it all, answering the call to transform treatment paradigms — or even create new ones. Whether we’re making advancements in understanding disease pathophysiology or pursuing new modalities that unlock previously undruggable targets, we’ll continue to push forward in providing more and more effective treatments for patients.
To deliver on our ambition, we’re applying our expertise in disease biology understanding, translational tools, and clinical development. We are investing in multiple modalities in parallel that could solve biodistribution challenges and unlock full efficacy for patients. At Takeda, we are driven by science and innovation, and aspire to be a trusted leader and partner in neuroscience.
Gastroenterology
With programs built on scientific evidence, in-house expertise, and global collaborations, we’re focused on delivering transformative therapies to improve the lives of patients living with gastrointestinal and hepatobiliary diseases.
Chinwe Ukomadu,
Head, Gastroenterology Therapeutic Area Unit
With over 30 years of experience in gastroenterology and a strategy to expand on our core expertise in inflammation, we are developing treatments in areas of high unmet need including inflammatory bowel disease, celiac disease, psoriasis, advanced liver disease, and neurogastric disorders.
To make a real difference, we must understand how GI and inflammatory diseases impact the everyday lives of patients. Routines are interrupted, symptom management takes precedence, and embarrassment can make the emotional pain just as present as the physical. Our approach is a simple one: we work where the needs of patients intersect with promising science.
Together with researchers, patient groups and other partners, we are working to advance scientific research and clinical medicine to improve disease management for all those affected by GI and inflammatory diseases.
Strategic investment areas
We are investing in platform capabilities in cell therapy, gene therapy and data sciences, as well as collaborating with academia and emerging biotech companies to tackle some of the most challenging problems in drug discovery and development. We are committed to our people and their growth and development. We know they are our most valuable asset and the driving force behind the innovation we strive to advance for patients.
There has never been a more exciting time to be part of R&D as we work to deliver breakthroughs to patients. We hope you will join us.
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Plasma-derived therapies
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Vaccines
Takeda strives to deliver life-transforming therapies to as many patients as possible. Working with our network of world-class partners, our team is boldly advancing unprecedented mechanisms in our pipeline, working toward success for cancer patients worldwide.
Christopher Arendt, Ph.D.,
Chief Scientific Officer
Where science is
Core modalities with industry-leading expertise
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Innate cell & gene therapies
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Peptides & oligonucleotides
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Microbiome & other modalities
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Biologics
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Small molecules
Externally-oriented mindset
We seek innovation and partner to nurture it, wherever it resides.
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200+ active collaborations in place globally
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~100 public-private partnerships across 76 countries
Takeda clinical trials
Takeda's commitment to transparency reflects our strong support for sharing clinical trial information to benefit patients and to foster scientific discovery in a way that maintains patient privacy and preserves the integrity of our research. Learn more at:
Our talent
Where Science is Foundational
Where Science is Transformative
We are focused on therapies with transformative and curative potential, which is why we’re investing in the power of innate immunity and the promise of cell therapy.
Cell Therapy
Harnessing the immune system
Cell Therapy
Manufacturing explained
Jobs for you
- Senior Research Associate – Stable Cell Line Development Group - Viral Vector Production Boston, Massachusetts Category: Pharmaceutical Sciences
- Senior Medical Director, Global Medical Safety (Oncology) - Remote US Boston, Massachusetts, Remote Category: Drug Safety
- Director, Global Evidence & Outcomes Cambridge, Massachusetts Category: Data Sciences
- Strategic Planning and Business Operations, Associate Director Shanghai, China Category: Business Development and Strategy
Key locations
- Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Zurich, Switzerland
- Vienna, Austria
- Shanghai, China
- Shonan, Japan
- Osaka, Japan
- Singapore
Our awards
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Science Magazine
2020 Top Employer -
Scrip Awards
Pharma Company
of the Year 2019
