Takeda Starts Phase 2 Clinical Studies of ATL-962, an Obesity and Related Disease Treatment, in Japan.

Tokyo, Japan, Jan 20, 2006 - (JCN) - Takeda Pharmaceutical announced January 20 that it had started phase 2 clinical studies of ATL-962, a treatment for obesity and related diseases.

ATL-962 was discovered and created by Alizyme plc, and is an inhibitor of gastrointestinal lipases and an agent to treat obesity and diabetes being designed to cause weight loss by reducing the digestion and thus the absorption of fat from the diet.

Having completed a program of Phase 1 clinical trials, Takeda now enters Phase 2 clinical trials. The trial will be a randomized, placebo-controlled, double blind, parallel-group dose-ranging study in obese Japanese patients with related diseases.

Takeda started to evaluate the European phase 2 ATL-962 clinical data in August 2003 and concluded an agreement with Alizyme in January 2004 that granted

exclusive rights to Takeda to develop, manufacture and market ATL-962 in Japan,

for the treatment of obesity and its associated conditions, such as Type II

diabetes.

Under the agreement, Takeda is responsible for development and commer-

cialization in Japan, while it is to pay milestones for development and commercia-

lization of ATL-962 by Takeda in Japan, including the royalties on future sales

of this product.

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