Japanese drugmaker Takeda Pharmaceutical Company is facing a major financial and legal challenge after a U.S. federal jury found the company liable in a high-profile antitrust lawsuit involving its constipation drug Amitiza (lubiprostone).
The verdict, delivered in a Boston federal court, concluded that Takeda participated in an anti-competitive agreement that delayed the launch of a lower-cost generic version of Amitiza in the United States. The jury awarded nearly $885 million in damages to wholesalers, insurers, pharmacies, and retailers who claimed they paid inflated prices because generic competition was postponed.
According to the case, Takeda and its former partner Sucampo entered into a settlement agreement with generic drugmaker Par Pharmaceutical in 2014. Plaintiffs argued that the deal effectively delayed generic entry for several years, allowing Amitiza to maintain higher market prices for longer than expected.
Takeda has strongly denied wrongdoing and announced plans to appeal the decision. The company stated that it believes the trial included both evidentiary and legal errors and said it will continue pursuing post-trial motions.
The company also confirmed that it will revise its FY2025 financial results to reflect the litigation impact. However, Takeda clarified that the verdict does not affect its core financial performance outlook for FY2026 at this stage.
Legal experts consider the ruling significant because it is reportedly the first successful jury verdict for plaintiffs in a pharmaceutical “pay-for-delay” antitrust class action since the U.S. Supreme Court allowed such lawsuits in 2013.
As reported by Reuters, the final financial liability could rise substantially because U.S. antitrust laws allow damages to be automatically tripled in certain cases, potentially increasing Takeda’s exposure to several billion dollars if the judgment is upheld.
