This 238 year old company just opened a new office in San Diego

May 02, 2019 - Sarah Lubeck

Founded in 1781 – five years after the Declaration of Independence was signed – Takeda Pharmaceuticals is not only one of the oldest, but also the largest pharma companies in the world. While the company is headquartered in Japan, it also has offices in Boston, and of course, San Diego.

This week, Takeda – and its 250 San Diego-based employees – opened its new 165,000 sq. ft office to the San Diego community. From an entrance way adorned with laser cut wood, to a common cafeteria serving up global delicacies to conference tables made from recycled Torrey Pines, Takeda California’s new digs will give you a major case of office envy. But the real secret to the design of the building? Its collaborative meeting spaces, which were crafted to ensure that its scientists can work together to drive life-changing treatments and cures.

Why San Diego?

As David Weitz, head of Takeda California and global research externalization puts it, “There’s a reason Takeda is in San Diego, and it’s more than just the weather. We pride ourselves in collaborating with the community.” Since its acquisition of Syrxx, Takeda California has been an institution in San Diego’s biotech and life sciences community.

Today, Takeda California, an R&D powerhouse focused primarily on gastroenterology and neuroscience, also helps fund other endeavors in San Diego and beyond. In the last three years, Takeda Ventures has committed over $35 million in Southern California companies. In total, 50 percent of Takeda’s research funding goes towards external partnerships.

Takeda California joins a growing list of well-known companies that have either expanded or moved to San Diego in recent months, including Amazon, Pfizer, Walmart’s tech arm,  Teradata, and more.

Check out the video of Takeda’s opening below from local drone photog, the aerial element.

Your next gig.

Interested in a research gig at Takeda California? You can check out its openings here.

Other articles you may be interested in: 

• Pharma giant Pfizer adds 100 jobs to its San Diego campus
• #TakeoverTuesday with Scripps Research
• San Diego’s Forge develops life-saving science