What Company Owns Velcade? Understanding the Takeda and Janssen Partnership

October 8, 2025 •

4 min read

Originally co-developed by Millennium Pharmaceuticals and Janssen, the ownership and commercialization rights of the cancer drug Velcade are now split between two major pharmaceutical players. Takeda Pharmaceuticals, which acquired Millennium in 2008, handles the United States market, while Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson manage sales and distribution in Europe and most other parts of the world.

Quick Summary

Takeda Pharmaceuticals and Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies share ownership and commercialization rights for Velcade (bortezomib). Takeda manages the U.S. market, while Janssen covers Europe and the rest of the world.

Key Points

Dual Ownership: The cancer medication Velcade is co-owned and commercialized by Takeda Pharmaceuticals and Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson.
Regional Market Split: Takeda is responsible for commercialization in the United States, while Janssen handles Europe and the rest of the world.
Acquisition History: Velcade was co-developed by Millennium Pharmaceuticals, which was later acquired by Takeda in 2008, inheriting its commercialization rights.
Mechanism of Action: The active ingredient, bortezomib, is a proteasome inhibitor that works by blocking cellular enzymes to induce cancer cell death.
Treats Blood Cancers: Velcade is used to treat multiple myeloma and mantle cell lymphoma, both forms of blood cancer.
Generic Availability: Following patent expiration, generic versions of bortezomib are available from several manufacturers at a lower cost.
Patient Support: Takeda provides patient assistance programs, such as Takeda Oncology 1Point, to help with access and reimbursement.

The Dual Ownership and Commercialization of Velcade

Velcade (bortezomib) is a foundational medication in the treatment of certain blood cancers, and its ownership structure is shared between two prominent pharmaceutical corporations. Takeda Pharmaceuticals and Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson hold the joint rights to this drug, but their responsibilities are split geographically. This co-development and co-commercialization strategy is not uncommon for blockbuster drugs, allowing companies to leverage regional strengths and navigate complex regulatory landscapes.

The co-development of Velcade stemmed from a collaboration between Millennium Pharmaceuticals and Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies. Following its acquisition of Millennium in 2008, Takeda inherited its commercialization rights and portfolio, integrating it into its oncology division. The resulting arrangement designated Millennium: The Takeda Oncology Company to handle sales and marketing in the United States, while Janssen assumed responsibility for Europe and other international territories. In 2014, Takeda dropped the Millennium brand, and its oncology division now operates under the Takeda Oncology name.

Commercialization Responsibilities by Region

United States: Takeda Pharmaceuticals America, Inc., through its oncology division, holds the commercialization rights for Velcade in the U.S. market. The company is responsible for its marketing, distribution, and patient support services in this region.
Europe and Rest of World: Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson manage the commercialization of Velcade across Europe and numerous other countries worldwide. Janssen-Cilag International NV, a subsidiary, handles many of these operations.
Japan: Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited and Janssen Pharmaceutical K.K. co-promote Velcade in Japan.

The History of Velcade's Development

The story of Velcade's development is a significant chapter in the history of targeted cancer therapies. The drug was initially developed by Millennium Pharmaceuticals, a biopharmaceutical company based in Cambridge, Massachusetts. It was a first-in-class proteasome inhibitor, a new type of cancer drug that targets a specific cellular mechanism to kill cancer cells.

The drug's clinical trials progressed efficiently, and it received its first FDA approval in May 2003 for the treatment of progressive multiple myeloma. The rapid success and potential of Velcade made Millennium an attractive target for acquisition. In May 2008, Takeda Pharmaceutical Company, Japan's largest pharmaceutical company, acquired Millennium for $8.8 billion. This strategic move allowed Takeda to expand its global oncology footprint and secure a lucrative asset in its portfolio.

The Mechanism of Action

Velcade's active ingredient is bortezomib, a proteasome inhibitor. To understand how it works, it is important to know the role of proteasomes in the cell. Proteasomes are protein complexes that break down and recycle damaged or unneeded proteins in cells. This process is crucial for maintaining cellular balance and regulating growth. In cancer cells, which grow and divide rapidly, the proteasome pathway is often overactive.

By inhibiting the function of proteasomes, bortezomib causes an accumulation of proteins within the cancer cell. This buildup disrupts cellular balance and triggers a process called apoptosis, or programmed cell death. Because cancer cells are more sensitive to this disruption than healthy cells, Velcade selectively targets and kills the cancerous cells.

Comparison of Velcade and Generic Bortezomib

Following the expiration of key patents, generic versions of bortezomib became available, offering a more affordable alternative to the brand-name drug. The generic drug, which contains the same active ingredient, is considered bioequivalent to Velcade and is produced by several manufacturers.


Feature	Velcade (Brand)	Bortezomib (Generic)
Manufacturer	Takeda/Janssen	Multiple (e.g., Fresenius Kabi, Sandoz)
Cost	Typically higher than generic versions	More affordable due to competitive market
Formulation	Original formulation approved by FDA	Exact copy of active drug, bioequivalent
Marketing	Supported by Takeda and Janssen branding	Generic name (bortezomib) and manufacturer branding
Regulatory Approval	Original FDA approval based on clinical trials	FDA approval based on bioequivalence to the brand drug

Indicated Uses of Velcade

Velcade is a versatile oncology drug with several FDA-approved indications for treating blood cancers. Its effectiveness has been demonstrated in multiple clinical studies, both as a single agent and as part of combination therapy. The primary indications for Velcade include:

Multiple Myeloma: Velcade is used to treat adult patients with multiple myeloma, a cancer of plasma cells in the bone marrow. It can be used for newly diagnosed patients, either those eligible for stem cell transplantation or those who are not, as well as for patients who have relapsed.
Mantle Cell Lymphoma (MCL): It is also approved for treating adult patients with mantle cell lymphoma, a rare and aggressive form of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. It is indicated for patients with previously untreated MCL who are not eligible for stem cell transplantation, as well as those who have relapsed.

Patient Support and Access

Recognizing the high cost and complexity of cancer treatment, pharmaceutical companies often provide patient support programs. Takeda, as the commercializing partner in the U.S., offers programs to assist patients with Velcade. These programs are designed to help with reimbursement and other patient-related needs. This support network helps ensure that patients in need can access the medication, regardless of their financial situation.

Conclusion

In summary, the ownership and commercialization of the oncology medication Velcade are managed through a strategic partnership between Takeda Pharmaceuticals and Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies. Takeda acquired the original developer, Millennium Pharmaceuticals, and now oversees the U.S. market, while Janssen handles Europe and other regions. This dual-company structure, combined with a history of innovative development, has made Velcade a significant therapy for patients with multiple myeloma and mantle cell lymphoma. With the introduction of generic bortezomib, patients now have more options, but the original brand-name drug remains an important component of cancer treatment.

Visit the International Myeloma Foundation's Velcade resource page for more information.

Frequently Asked Questions

The ownership and commercialization of Velcade are shared between Takeda Pharmaceuticals and Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson. Takeda handles the United States market, while Janssen manages Europe and most other international regions.

The active ingredient in Velcade is bortezomib, a targeted drug that belongs to a class of medications called proteasome inhibitors.

No, Velcade is not a traditional chemotherapy drug. It is a targeted therapy known as a proteasome inhibitor, meaning it works by targeting specific pathways that are essential for cancer cell survival.

Velcade is FDA-approved for the treatment of two types of blood cancer: multiple myeloma and mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) in adults.

Generic versions of bortezomib became available after the expiration of key patents on the original drug. Several manufacturers, including Fresenius Kabi and Sandoz, received FDA approval to market generic bortezomib in 2022.

Velcade works by blocking proteasomes, which are protein complexes inside cells that break down unneeded or damaged proteins. By blocking these proteasomes, Velcade causes proteins to build up inside cancer cells, ultimately leading to their death.

Yes, Takeda offers financial assistance programs for patients using Velcade in the U.S. These include Takeda Oncology 1Point and the Velcade Reimbursement Assistant Program (VRAP).

Clinical trial data has shown that subcutaneous (under the skin) administration of Velcade results in significantly less peripheral neuropathy and may also reduce gastrointestinal side effects compared to intravenous administration.