Takeda, Eisai and Astellas ally on global health initiative

Takeda, Eisai, Daiichi Sankyo, Astellas and Shionogi have announced the launch of a new partnership programme aimed at creating new health technologies for the developing world.

The new Global Health Innovative Technology Fund scheme (GHIT) will see the five Japanese pharmaceutical companies allying with the Asian nation's government and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to develop new medicines, vaccines and diagnostic tools.

It is the first public-private partnership of its kind in Japan, with drugmakers, universities and research institutions all collaborating to bridge the gap between basic research and clinical studies.

The aim of this initiative is to leverage the individual strengths and expertise of each participating organisation to deliver meaningful healthcare advances for poorer countries.

A statement from Eisai said the company believes the scheme will "lead to further global public-private partnerships focused on the development of new drugs and contribute to global health through advances made in new health technologies in Japan".