Takeda Pharmaceuticals Establishes $3 Million Endowment with AGA Foundation

Gift Will Fund Annual James W. Freston Single Topic Conference Series for
Gastroenterology Research

BETHESDA, Md., May 17 /PRNewswire/ -- The American Gastroenterological
Association (AGA) Foundation for Digestive Health and Nutrition (FDHN)
announced a gift of $3 million from Takeda Pharmaceuticals to establish The
Takeda Endowment Fund within the AGA Foundation's overall endowment.
Interest earned from The Takeda Endowment Fund will provide annual support
for an AGA Institute Single Topic Conference. The annual conference will be
named in honor of former AGA President and past AGA Foundation Chair, James
W. Freston, MD, PhD.

"This contribution will make the science of gastroenterology stronger,"
said AGA FDHN Chair, Sidney Cohen, MD. "We are extraordinarily pleased and
appreciative of Takeda's philanthropic investment in the field of
gastroenterology. This endowment grant differs from education grants, which
while very important, usually represent support for a single event or
project. The Takeda Endowment Fund will provide support for the James W.
Freston Conferences in perpetuity. Consequently, we are very excited about
the long-term positive health outcomes that The Takeda Endowment Fund will
foster."

The purpose of the James W. Freston Single Topic Conference is to bring
together scientists in the gastrointestinal field to discuss important
scientific issues relevant to the practice of gastroenterology. Conference
topics will be identified by the Governing Board of the AGA Institute and
conference directors will be world-recognized AGA members and scientific
leaders within the specialty. Because understanding of basic concepts in
medical science often precedes advances in translational research and
improvements in patient care, The Takeda Endowment Fund will support
efforts to improve patient health in the years ahead.

"Single topic conferences are cutting-edge opportunities to foster
discussion, engage and update gastrointestinal professionals on new and
emerging technologies, research discoveries and other relevant topics
leading to the advancement of the practice of gastroenterology," said
Nicholas LaRusso, AGA Institute president.

"As part of Takeda's strong commitment to society, we have a long
history of supporting science and medical education as we pursue our
mission of promoting better health for individuals and progress in
medicine," said Nancy Joseph-Ridge, M.D., president, Takeda Global Research
and Development Center, Inc. "We believe that with the development of the
James W. Freston Single Topic Conferences, we are able to better contribute
to the gastrointestinal practice and bring forth new ideas and discoveries
to benefit the well-being of patients."

"The Takeda Endowment funds will provide a strong base of private
support from which solid future conference planning can occur. Conference
directors can focus on planning scientific objectives and not worry about
fund-raising for the conference budget. This will provide tremendous
freedom, especially for emerging issues and problems that need prompt
attention," said David A. Peura, MD, and AGA FDHN vice chair.

The first James W. Freston Conference will be held in September, 2009.
Every third year the Freston Conference will be in Chicago and alternate
sites will be selected for the intervening years. Conference details may be
found at http://www.gastro.org.


This conference will be important to address the following issues:

-- There are more than 300 digestive diseases that adversely affect the
lives of more than 65 million Americans and thirty percent of
Americans suffer a gastroenterological illness each year, resulting in
more than eight million hospital admissions and 30 million doctor
visits.

-- At least 40 million Americans are burdened with chronic digestive
conditions that disrupt their lives. More Americans are hospitalized
for digestive diseases than for any other type of illness.

-- Nearly one in four cancer deaths is related to the digestive system.

-- The annual costs associated with digestive diseases have continued to
rise to an all time high of more than $85 billion and the magnitude of
this problem is increasing rapidly.

-- Since 1985, the number of people suffering digestive health problems
in the United States has climbed by 20 percent. By 2025, the United
States population's average life expectancy will increase from 77 to
82 years. Because many digestive diseases occur as people age,
incidences may skyrocket.

The AGA is dedicated to the mission of advancing the science and
practice of gastroenterology. Founded in 1897, the AGA is one of the oldest
medical-specialty societies in the United States. The AGA's more than
15,000 members include physicians and scientists who research, diagnose and
treat disorders of the gastrointestinal tract and liver. For more
information, visit http://www.gastro.org.

The AGA Foundation for Digestive Health and Nutrition (FDHN) is the
foundation of the AGA. The Foundation's ultimate mission mirrors that of
the AGA: to improve the human condition through understanding, preventing,
diagnosing and curing digestive diseases. Separately incorporated and
governed by a distinguished board of AGA physicians and the lay public, the
Foundation raises funds for research and public education. Donors to the
Foundation include AGA physicians, patients and family members of those who
suffer from digestive diseases, national foundations and the pharmaceutical
industry. For more information, visit the Foundation's Web site at
http://www.fdhn.org. Donors interested in contributing to the Foundation may
contact the Foundation offices at (301) 222-4002.

Takeda Pharmaceuticals North America, Inc.

Based in Deerfield, Ill., Takeda Pharmaceuticals North America, Inc. is
a wholly owned subsidiary of Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited, the
largest pharmaceutical company in Japan. In the United States, Takeda
currently markets products for diabetes, insomnia, wakefulness and
gastroenterology. Through the Takeda Global Research & Development Center,
Inc. the company has a robust pipeline with compounds in development for
diabetes, gastroenterology, cardiovascular disease and other conditions.
Takeda is committed to striving toward better health for individuals and
progress in medicine by developing superior pharmaceutical products. To
learn more about the company and its products, visit http://www.tpna.com.





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