Takeda to sell off vitamins joint venture

The company, Japan's largest drug maker, is looking to concentrate on its core pharma business. Takeda started spinning off its non-core operations into joint ventures in 2000 as part of a major reorganization. It is expected to sell its stake in the venture with BASF, which involves the sales and distribution of a joint range of bulk vitamins in the Japanese market, before or during 2007, according to national press reports. BASF holds a majority stake in the business - 66 per cent. A BASF spokesman said the company could not comment on whether it would take over the venture but added that it is a successful business. The alliance was part of BASF's €600 million investment programme in its vitamins business, particularly improving the production of vitamins A, E and C. It also gained Takeda Vitamin and Food Company's manufacturing technology and patents related to the vitamins B1, B2, B6, C and folic acid, as well as Takeda's subsidiaries in Germany, the US and Singapore during the reorganization four years ago. Takeda will also sell its stake in a food venture with Kirin Brewery.

Takeda to sell off vitamins joint venture

Japanese pharmaceutical firm Takeda will sell off its stakes in five non-core joint ventures, including the vitamins business that it operates with Germany's BASF, according to reports.

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