UPDATE 1-Takeda: US FDA to respond on diabetes drug by June

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TOKYO, Dec 24 (Reuters) - Takeda Pharmaceutical Co Ltd (4502.T: Quote, Profile, Research), Japan's top drugmaker, said on Wednesday the U.S. Food and Drug Administration would complete a review of a key diabetes drug candidate by June 26, 2009.

The drug, called alogliptin or SYR-322, is critical to Takeda's mainstay diabetes business as it is expected to be the main replacement for its best-selling Actos, which will lose U.S. patent protection in 2011.

In October, Takeda said the FDA would not be able to finish its review by the scheduled date of Oct. 27 due to a lack of resources. [ID:nT177998]

Alogliptin belongs to a new class of diabetes drugs called DPP-4 inhibitors, and Takeda hopes it will compete with rival drug Januvia from Merck & Co (MRK.N: Quote, Profile, Research). (Reporting by Taiga Uranaka)