Patent for ACTOS® Yields Success

February 10, 2015

Chemists for Takeda Chemical Industries, Ltd. developed a novel heterocyclic compound named Pioglitazone, which was discovered to be highly effective in the treatment of Type 2 diabetes. Working on behalf of Takeda, Wenderoth obtained the U.S. patent covering Pioglitazone, as well as tens of related U.S. patents. Takeda took Pioglitazone to market under the name ACTOS®. In 2012, ACTOS® became the most popular Type 2 diabetes drug of all time, with more than $16 billion in sales since its U.S. release in 1999. Around the world, more than 10 million people have taken the drug.