Takeda's Proposed Deal To Buy Shire Gets Japan Fair Trade Commission Clearance

(RTTNews) - Japan's Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited (TKPHF.PK, TKPYY.PK) announced Thursday that it has received unconditional clearance from the Japan Fair Trade Commission for the proposed acquisition of Shire plc (SHPG, SHP.L).

The receipt of antitrust clearance in Japan is another significant step towards closing the transaction. In addition to Japan, the Acquisition has now received unconditional clearances from regulatory authorities in multiple key jurisdictions, including the United States, China and Brazil, among others.

The company said the acquisition remains subject to certain other conditions, including receipt of the remaining regulatory clearances and approval by the shareholders of both companies.

Christophe Weber, President and Chief Executive Officer of Takeda, said, "Takeda is proud of its Japanese heritage, and we are looking forward to building on this heritage as a combined company to continue delivering highly-innovative medicines that are transformative to patients in Japan and around the world."

It was in May that Takeda announced its agreement to acquire Irish drugmaker Shire for 49.01 pounds per Shire Share, or about 46 billion pounds in total.