- Investment to Foster Early Biotech Start-ups -

Taiho Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (hereinafter "Taiho"), a fully-fledged oncology pharmaceutical company, announced on July 23 that the company will be investing US$30 million in Remiges BioPharma Fund (hereinafter "Remiges Fund"), a newly formed biotech venture capital fund.

Taiho has a long history of developing new therapeutic options to serve the needs of oncologists and cancer patients. Our development of TAS-102 is an example of our commitment to patients diagnosed with metastatic colorectal cancer whose disease progressed after or who were intolerant to standard therapies. At the same time, we recognize the importance of collaborating with academia and biotech ventures outside Japan for efficient and effective biopharmaceutical innovation.

Taiho hopes to use the investment in Remiges Fund as the platform for open innovation - an outreach for innovative technologies. Through Remiges' well-connected US-Japan cross border investment team, Taiho will be tapping into the US/Europe biotech start-up community and catalyze the company's R&D to deliver innovative cancer treatment to patients.

About Taiho Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.

Taiho Pharmaceutical, a subsidiary of Otsuka Holdings Co., Ltd., is an R&D-driven specialty pharma focusing on the three fields of oncology, allergies and immunology, and urology. Its corporate philosophy takes the form of a pledge: "We strive to improve human health and contribute to a society enriched by smiles." In the field of oncology in particular, Taiho Pharmaceutical is known as a leading company in Japan and around the world for developing innovative medicines for the treatment of cancer. In areas other than oncology, as well, the company creates quality products that effectively treat medical conditions and can help improve people's quality of life. Always putting customers first, Taiho Pharmaceutical also aims to offer over-the-counter medicinal products that support people's efforts to lead fulfilling and rewarding lives.

Headquarters: Tokyo

President: Masayuki Kobayashi

For more information about Taiho Pharmaceutical, please visit

http://www.taiho.co.jp/english/