Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited (Takeda), a research-based global pharmaceutical company, has decided voluntarily to terminate the development activities for fasiglifam (TAK-875), an investigational treatment for type 2 diabetes, due to concerns about liver safety.

Patient safety is Takeda’s highest priority. The company has worked with three independent panels of experts to provide for the safety of trial participants and ensure independent safety oversight for the clinical trials throughout the duration of the fasiglifam (TAK-875) Phase 3 development program.

The expert panels include the independent Data Monitoring Committee (DMC), a committee that oversees the fasiglifam global clinical development program, reviews the unblinded clinical data from program trials and provides continual safety oversight of trial subjects and recommendations. The DMC is comprised of clinical experts in endocrinology, cardiology and hepatology as well as a statistician. The independent Liver Safety Evaluation Committee (LSEC) is comprised of five hepatologists with expertise in drug-induced liver injury. While remaining blinded to treatment information, the LSEC regularly evaluates data on liver enzymes elevations and adjudicates cases that impacted the liver. In addition, an independent Executive Committee (EC) provides additional oversight for the fasiglifam (TAK-875) cardiovascular outcomes trial.

After careful consideration of the data emerging from all the clinical trials and in consultation with these panels, the company has reached the conclusion that, on balance, the benefits of treating patients with fasiglifam (TAK-875) do not outweigh the potential risks. For this reason, Takeda has decided voluntarily to terminate the development activities for fasiglifam.

Takeda is in communication with trial investigators and the relevant regulatory authorities regarding the company’s decision, to provide them with updated and current information in compliance with local regulations. Takeda is working with trial investigators and local regulatory authorities to ensure that patients who participated in the fasiglifam (TAK-875) trials are transitioned to appropriate therapies and ensure that trial participants receive appropriate care. Patients enrolled in the fasiglifam (TAK-875) clinical trials are urged to consult their study investigators to address any questions, and before making any changes to their medication.