Millennium: The Takeda Oncology Co.

Millennium

Rick Appleton

Cambridge, MA Millennium: The Takeda Oncology Co. is focused on discovering and developing breakthroughs in oncology that will become important new therapies for patients around the world. A leading biopharmaceutical company, Millennium has a robust clinical development pipeline of product candidates. In particular, the company develops and markets VELCADE for injection, the first-in-class proteasome inhibitor and a global, market-leading cancer therapy for the treatment of patients with multiple myeloma and relapsed mantle cell lymphoma. The company continues to maintain an entrepreneurial culture of the best and brightest talent, who passionately strive to exceed their goals.

Additional information about Millennium is available through its website, www.millennium.com.

Millennium was founded in 1993 as a genomics company and opened its first laboratory in Kendall Sq. Now the company has grown into a fully-integrated biopharmaceutical company with a pipeline of innovative molecules focused in oncology. It is headquartered on Landsdowne St. with both laboratory and office space. Millennium has 875 employees onsite. As Millennium builds an oncology center of excellence here in Cambridge, the company will be adding resources and expertise that enhances its ability to manage a robust pipeline. The long-term vision is to become a top oncology company by 2020. Millennium selected Cambridge for its headquarters as it's the hub of biotechnology innovation. Additionally, it's conveniently located close to the talent pool and academic environments of MIT and Harvard University.

Millennium was acquired by Takeda Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. in May of 2008 and took on a new name, Millennium: The Takeda Oncology Co. Founded in 1781 and located in Osaka, Japan, Takeda is research-based, global company with its main focus on pharmaceuticals. As the largest pharmaceutical company in Japan with an important global presence, Takeda is committed to striving toward better health for individuals and progress in medicine by developing superior pharmaceutical products. According to Rick Appleton, senior director of facilities planning and engineering, "An opportunity exists when science, medicine, drug discovery and development come together to move boundaries forward and push into new areas. We can bring better outcomes for patients by creating new therapies for diseases. As a company, our future for impacting cancer as a disease is bright. Our researchers are relentless about developing new and innovative therapies that change the game. All of us share the same focus: to fundamentally change the lives of those touched by cancer."

Millennium is an active member of the Cambridge Chamber of Commerce and Appleton serves on its board of directors. In fact, this year Millennium was awarded Corporate Citizen of the Year by the Cambridge Chamber. Additionally, Millennium is a corporate member of the Museum of Science and Deborah Dunsire (president and CEO) serves on its board of directors, and Laurie Keating serves on the Mass. Biotech Council board of directors. Millennium also participates in local activities including the Cambridge Science Fair, Community Service Day, Mass. State Science Fair and Green Sts.