Takeda hikes Shire takeover bid to almost $61 billion

Japanese drugs firm Takeda on Friday upped its takeover bid to $60.7 billion (49 billion euros) for Irish-based peer Shire, which has already rejected its previous three overtures. Takeda announced in a statement that it has lifted its cash and stock bid to the equivalent of £47 per share, valuing Shire at £42.8 billion.
That was marginally higher than the prior bid that was pitched at £46.50 per share or £42 billion. "After careful consideration, Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited is today making an improved proposal to the Board of Shire plc," read a statement from the Osaka-based group.
It added: "Takeda believes that the improved proposal represents a highly compelling opportunity for Shire shareholders, which reflects a further increase in value and a material increase in the cash component of the consideration mix."