Safety fears over Amgen#8217;s anaemia franchise have contributed to a predicted US$1.5 B fall in revenue from its Epogen#174; and Aranesp#174; products in 2008, and the company began the painful task of cost cutting by restructuring in August 2007. Now though, it has signed a deal with Takeda Pharmaceutical worth a potential US$1.2 B. The deal saw the sale of Amgen#8217;s Japanese subsidiary, and the granting to Takeda of the Japanese rights to 12 Amgen compounds, and of worldwide rights to an oncology compound.