'Solid performance' from Shire in its last year alone

Product sales at Shire grew by 4% to $15 billion in its last year as a standalone company.

The rare diseases specialist is now part of Japanese pharma major Takeda (TYO: 4502) in a deal completed last month that was reported to be worth $56 million.

Earnings at Shire were down, with net income in 2018 sliding to $2.33 billion, a 45% decrease on the previous year. This was blamed on a higher US tax reform benefit in 2017.