Takeda Receives U.S. FDA Approval to Manufacture FLEXBUMIN® at New Plasma Manufacturing Facility near Covington, Georgia

CAMBRIDGE, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited (TOKYO:4502/NYSE:TAK), (“Takeda”) today announced that the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the company’s second submission for its new plasma manufacturing facility near Covington, Georgia for the production of FLEXBUMIN 25% [Albumin (Human)], USP, 25% Solution, indicated for hypovolemia, hypoalbuminemia, (burns, Adult Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS), and nephrosis), cardiopulmonary bypass surgery, and hemolytic disease of the newborn (HDN). Albumin is not indicated as an intravenous nutrient. The Georgia facility received its first FDA approval, to manufacture GAMMAGARD LIQUID [Immune Globulin Infusion (Human)] 10% Solution, in June 2018.

“This latest approval is a significant milestone for the Georgia facility, Takeda and our patients,” said Thomas Wozniewski, Global Manufacturing & Supply Officer. “This new state-of-the-art facility is providing much needed additional capacity for meeting increasing global demand for plasma-derived therapies, and our team there will continue to scale up production over the coming years.”

“Following the acquisition of Shire, Takeda created a Business Unit dedicated to meeting the large and growing demand for plasma-derived products, essential for treating patients with a variety of rare, life-threatening, chronic and genetic diseases. Our strategic focus and increased investment in plasma innovation and our world-class plasma collection and production capabilities will enable us to expand our broad, differentiated portfolio of medicines and serve more patients. Our Georgia facility is a key part of these plans,” added Julie Kim, President of Plasma-Derived Therapies at Takeda.

The Georgia facility currently employs more than 1,000 full-time and contract employees, and continues to hire to fill additional roles in manufacturing, quality, engineering, maintenance, utilities, warehouse, and various support and facility roles.

FLEXBUMIN 25% [Albumin (Human)], USP, 25% Solution

What is FLEXBUMIN?

FLEXBUMIN 25% is indicated for hypovolemia, hypoalbuminemia, (burns, Adult Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS), and nephrosis), cardiopulmonary bypass surgery, and hemolytic disease of the newborn (HDN). Albumin is not indicated as an intravenous nutrient

Important US Safety Information

Contraindications

• History of hypersensitivity reaction to albumin preparations or to any of the excipients (N-acetyltryptophan and sodium caprylate). Reactions have included anaphylactic shock, anaphylactic reaction, or hypersensitivity/allergic reactions
• Severe anemia or cardiac failure with normal or increased intravascular volume.

Warnings and Precautions

Hypersensitivity Reactions: have been observed (including anaphylactic reactions). If hypersensitivity reaction is suspected, discontinue administration immediately and implement appropriate standard medical treatment.

Hypervolemia/Hemodilution: Under conditions where hypervolemia and/or hemodilution may occur, adjust the dose and rate of infusion to the patient’s volume status. When administering large volumes, monitor hemodynamic parameters. Ensure adequate substitution of other blood constituents and monitor electrolyte balance. Discontinue administration at the first clinical signs of cardiovascular overload.

Hemodynamics: Closely monitor hemodynamic parameters after administration for evidence of cardiac or respiratory failure, renal failure or increasing intracranial pressure.

Blood Pressure: Monitor blood pressure in trauma patients and postoperative surgery patients in order to detect re-bleeding secondary to clot disruption.

Hemolysis: Do not dilute with Sterile Water for Injection, as there is potential risk of fatal hemolysis and acute renal failure in recipients.

Transmission of Infectious Agents: Because FLEXBUMIN 25% is made from human plasma it may carry a risk of transmitting infectious agents (e.g., viruses, other pathogens). No cases of transmission of viral diseases, Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) or variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (vCJD) have ever been identified.

Adverse Reactions:

The most serious adverse reactions are hypersensitivity reaction (including anaphylactic reaction) and pulmonary edema.

Administration Caution

Do not use plastic containers in series connections. Such use could result in air embolism due to residual air being drawn from the primary container before the administration of the fluid from the secondary container is complete.

Please click for Full Prescribing Information.

GAMMAGARD LIQUID [Immune Globulin Infusion (Human)] 10% Solution

INDICATION
GAMMAGARD LIQUID is indicated as replacement therapy for primary humoral immunodeficiency (PI) in adult and pediatric patients ≥2 years.

IMPORTANT US SAFETY INFORMATION

WARNING: THROMBOSIS, RENAL DYSFUNCTION, and ACUTE RENAL FAILURE

• Thrombosis may occur with immune globulin (IG) products, including GAMMAGARD LIQUID. Risk factors may include advanced age, prolonged immobilization, hypercoagulable conditions, history of venous or arterial thrombosis, use of estrogens, indwelling vascular catheters, hyperviscosity, and cardiovascular risk factors. Thrombosis may occur in the absence of known risk factors.
• Renal dysfunction, acute renal failure, osmotic nephrosis, and death may occur in predisposed patients with immune globulin intravenous (IGIV) products. Patients predisposed to renal dysfunction include those with any degree of pre-existing renal insufficiency, diabetes mellitus, age greater than 65, volume depletion, sepsis, paraproteinemia, or patients receiving known nephrotoxic drugs. Renal dysfunction and acute renal failure occur more commonly in patients receiving IGIV products containing sucrose. GAMMAGARD LIQUID does not contain sucrose.
• For patients at risk of thrombosis, administer GAMMAGARD LIQUID at the minimum dose and infusion rate practicable. Ensure adequate hydration in patients before administration. Monitor for signs and symptoms of thrombosis and assess blood viscosity in patients at risk of hyperviscosity.

Contraindications

• History of anaphylactic or severe systemic hypersensitivity reactions to human IG
• IgA-deficient patients with antibodies to IgA and a history of hypersensitivity to human IG. Anaphylaxis has been reported with intravenous (IV) use of GAMMAGARD LIQUID.

Warnings and Precautions

Hypersensitivity: Severe hypersensitivity reactions may occur, even in patients who have tolerated previous treatment with human IG. If a hypersensitivity reaction occurs, discontinue infusion immediately and institute appropriate treatment. IgA-deficient patients with antibodies to IgA are at greater risk of developing potentially severe hypersensitivity reactions, including anaphylaxis.

Renal Dysfunction/Failure: Acute renal dysfunction/failure, acute tubular necrosis, proximal tubular nephropathy, osmotic nephrosis, and death may occur with IV use of IG products, especially those containing sucrose. Ensure patients are not volume depleted prior to infusion. In patients at risk due to pre-existing renal insufficiency or predisposition to acute renal failure, assess renal function before initiation and throughout treatment, and use the minimum infusion rate practicable for IV administration. If renal function deteriorates, consider discontinuation.

Hyperproteinemia, increased serum viscosity, and hyponatremia may occur. It is critical to distinguish true hyponatremia from a pseudohyponatremia because certain treatments may lead to volume depletion, a further increase in serum viscosity, and a predisposition to thromboembolic events.

Thrombosis: May occur following treatment with IG products and in the absence of known risk factors. In patients at risk, administer at the minimum dose and infusion rate practicable. Ensure adequate hydration before administration. Monitor for signs and symptoms of thrombosis and assess blood viscosity in patients at risk for hyperviscosity.

Aseptic Meningitis Syndrome: Has been reported with use of IG and may occur more frequently in females. Conduct a thorough neurological exam on patients exhibiting signs and symptoms, to rule out other causes of meningitis. Discontinuing IG treatment has resulted in remission within several days without sequelae.

Hemolysis: GAMMAGARD LIQUID contains blood group antibodies, which may cause a positive direct antiglobulin reaction and hemolysis. Monitor patients for signs and symptoms of hemolysis and delayed hemolytic anemia and, if present, perform appropriate confirmatory lab testing.

Transfusion-Related Acute Lung Injury: Non-cardiogenic pulmonary edema may occur with IV administered IG. Monitor patients for pulmonary adverse reactions. If suspected, perform appropriate tests for presence of anti-neutrophil and anti-HLA antibodies in both product and patient serum. May be managed using oxygen therapy with adequate ventilatory support.

Transmittable Infectious Agents: Because GAMMAGARD LIQUID is made from human plasma, it may carry a risk of transmitting infectious agents (e.g., viruses, other pathogens). No confirmed cases of viral transmission or variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (vCJD) have been associated with GAMMAGARD LIQUID.

Interference with Lab Tests: False positive serological test results and certain assay readings, with the potential for misleading interpretation, may occur as the result of passively transferred antibodies.

Adverse Reactions

IV administration for PI: The serious adverse reaction seen during IV clinical studies was aseptic meningitis. The most common adverse reactions observed in ≥5% of subjects were headache, fatigue, pyrexia, nausea, chills, rigors, pain in extremity, diarrhea, migraine, dizziness, vomiting, cough, urticaria, asthma, pharyngolaryngeal pain, rash, arthralgia, myalgia, oedema peripheral, pruritus, and cardiac murmur.

Subcutaneous administration for PI: The most common adverse reactions observed in ≥5% of subjects were infusion site (local) event (rash, erythema, edema, hemorrhage, and irritation), headache, fatigue, heart rate increased, pyrexia, abdominal pain upper, nausea, vomiting, asthma, blood pressure systolic increased, diarrhea, ear pain, aphthous stomatitis, migraine, oropharyngeal pain, and pain in extremity.

Drug Interactions

Passive transfer of antibodies may transiently interfere with immune responses to live attenuated virus vaccines (e.g., measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella).

Please click for Full Prescribing Information, including Boxed Warning regarding Thrombosis, Renal Dysfunction and Acute Renal Failure.

About Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited

Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited (TOKYO:4502/NYSE:TAK) is a global, values-based, R&D-driven biopharmaceutical leader headquartered in Japan, committed to bringing Better Health and a Brighter Future to patients by translating science into highly-innovative medicines. Takeda focuses its R&D efforts on four therapeutic areas: Oncology, Gastroenterology (GI), Neuroscience, and Rare Diseases. We also make targeted R&D investments in Plasma-Derived Therapies and Vaccines. We are focusing on developing highly innovative medicines that contribute to making a difference in people’s lives by advancing the frontier of new treatment options and leveraging our enhanced collaborative R&D engine and capabilities to create a robust, modality-diverse pipeline. Our employees are committed to improving quality of life for patients and to working with our partners in health care in approximately 80 countries and regions.
For more information, visit https://www.takeda.com

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