Takeda forecast slowdown in diabetes sales

The Takeda Pharmaceutical Co., the largest drugmaker in Japa, has anticipated a slowdown in their sales of blockbuster diabetes treatment Actos due to increased market competition.
The company nevertheless anticipated a 6.5 per cent increase in sales, hitting a level of $11.6 billion at the end of 2008. The company, who are based in Osaka, said that this is the slowest growth since March 2005.
Actos is facing stiff competition from drugs including Januvia (Merck and Co.) Yasuchika Hasegawa, the president of Takeda, told reporters that despite the affect of Januvia on sales, Actos is still likely to achieve double-digit growth.
Takeda has origins dating back to a medicine wholesale business started in 1781. The company are now looking for healthcare and drug developments to find the natural successor to Actos.