Takeda Confirms Interest in Acquiring Shire

On March 27, 2018, Takeda Pharmaceutical confirmed that it is considering approaching Shire with a possible offer but asserted that there is no certainty that an offer will be made. Takeda is in the preliminary and exploratory stage and no approach has been made at this point to Shire’s board of directors. The company also pointed out that if an approach is made, there is no certainty that it will lead to any transaction.

The company reports that it continuously considers various options in its aim to accelerate growth and focuses on prioritized therapeutic areas, including gastroenterology, oncology, neuroscience, and vaccines. It believes that a potential transaction with Shire presents an opportunity to advance Takeda’s stated Vision 2025 strategy, build on its current strong momentum, and create a global, value-based Japanese biopharmaceutical leader.

In particular, a transaction with Shire would:

• strengthen Takeda’s core therapeutic areas of oncology, gastrointestinal, and neuroscience

• accelerate Takeda’s vision to be a leader in specialized medicines through the addition of Shire’s global rare-disease franchise

• further enhance Takeda’s robust R&D strategy, concentrating on key therapeutic areas

• reinforce a strong and large-molecule focused late-stage pipeline within Takeda’s core therapeutic areas to complement its own pipeline and discovery capabilities

• balance Takeda’s geographic focus to align with the market opportunity in the United States

• drive financial value from a strong combined financial profile.

The company will make a further announcement as is appropriate.

Headquartered in Dublin, Ireland, Shire achieved more than $15 billion in total 2017 revenues.

Source: Takeda Pharmaceutical