Takeda Healthcare Philippines Inc. led by Country Manager Loreann Villanueva (seated, second from the left) and Otsuka-Solar Philippines, Inc. led by Company President Ken Saito (seated, second from the right), with the support of the Embassy of Japan in the Philippines represented by Health Attaché Dr. Fumiko Aoki (standing, third from the right) signed a Memorandum of Understanding to raise awareness on dengue and advocate for an integrated approach to prevention and control of the disease. Former Department of Health Undersecretary Dr. Eric Tayag (standing, fourth from the right) together with both firms' executives joined to witness the beginning of the Japanese companies' alliance.

Takeda, Otsuka-Solar Form Japan-Backed Health Alliance

Published on:

Feb 10, 2025, 2:08 am

● Takeda Healthcare Philippines, Inc. and Otsuka-Solar Philippines, Inc., with the support of the Embassy of Japan in the Philippines, have signed a memorandum of understanding to raise awareness on dengue and integrated approach to dengue prevention and control.

● The purpose of the collaboration is to empower local communities with the knowledge and resources needed to improve health-promoting behaviors, emphasizing the role of environmental cleanliness, use of self-protection measures, hydration, wellness, and medical innovation in disease prevention and control.

Manila, Philippines, February 6, 2025 -- Takeda Healthcare Philippines, Inc. (“Takeda”) and Otsuka-Solar Philippines, Inc. (“Otsuka”) have agreed to partner in establishing a Japan-backed health alliance dedicated to strengthening community-based disease awareness and integrated prevention and control in the Philippines in the area of dengue.

As of November 2024, the Philippines has reported a significant surge in dengue cases, with a staggering 340,860 cases nationwide—an 81% increase compared to the 188,574 cases recorded during the same period in 2023. Notably, regions such as Central Luzon, Western Visayas, and Central Visayas have experienced more than a 40% rise in cases, with Metro Manila also observing an upward trend.

“Our collaboration with Otsuka-Solar represents a significant step toward our goal of advancing healthcare in the country,” said Loreann Villanueva, Country Manager of Takeda Healthcare Philippines, Inc. “By combining our expertise, we can better educate communities on disease prevention and empower them to take proactive steps in protecting their health.”

The partnership was formalized in a signing ceremony at the Diamond Hotel, where Japan Embassy Health Attaché Dr. Fumiko Aoki, Otsuka-Solar President Ken Saito, and Villanueva led the launch of the initiative. The collaboration aims to increase dengue awareness within the community in support of the integrated dengue prevention and control strategy driven by the World Health Organization and the Department of Health.

“With the Japanese Embassy’s support, Otsuka-Solar's expertise in hydration and wellness, and Takeda's leadership in pharmaceutical innovation, we can empower communities through open discussions about health, which is essential in shaping better healthcare practices and disease prevention strategies,” Villanueva added.

Ken Saito, President of Otsuka-Solar Philippines, emphasized the importance of hydration and wellness in dengue prevention. "At Otsuka-Solar, we believe that good health starts with the right habits, and proper hydration plays a vital role in overall wellness. Through this collaboration with Takeda and the support of the Japanese Embassy, we are taking a step further in ensuring that communities are better equipped to prevent and manage dengue. We are proud to be part of this initiative and remain committed to strengthening healthcare education and access in the Philippines," he said.

Otsuka-Solar is the company behind Pocari Sweat, a widely recognized hydration product. Its parent company, Otsuka, was founded in 1921 in Tokushima Prefecture, Japan, and has a long-standing commitment to health and wellness.

Takeda Healthcare Philippines, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Takeda Pharmaceuticals Company Limited, is known for its life-transforming treatments in gastrointestinal and inflammation, rare diseases, plasma-derived therapies, oncology, neuroscience, and vaccines. Founded in 1781 in Osaka, Japan, Takeda continues to be a leader in biopharmaceutical innovation.

Beyond its collaboration with Otsuka-Solar, Takeda Healthcare Philippines also recently partnered with the Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines (ULAP), the umbrella organization representing leagues and federations of local government officials. This initiative further strengthens public-private cooperation in advancing health education and disease prevention efforts nationwide.

“When people are informed and engaged, they make smarter choices that protect not only themselves but also those around them,” Villanueva said, “Through this partnership, we aim to foster meaningful conversations that drive lasting improvements in community health.”

About Takeda

Takeda is focused on creating better health for people and a brighter future for the world. We aim to discover and deliver life-transforming treatments in our core therapeutic and business areas, including gastrointestinal and inflammation, rare diseases, plasma-derived therapies, oncology, neuroscience and vaccines. Together with our partners, we aim to improve the patient experience and advance a new frontier of treatment options through our dynamic and diverse pipeline. As a leading values-based, R&D-driven biopharmaceutical company headquartered in Japan, we are guided by our commitment to patients, our people and the planet. Our employees in approximately 80 countries and regions are driven by our purpose and are grounded in the values that have defined us for more than two centuries. For more information, visit www.takeda.com.