Allergan throws hat in the ring as Takeda and Shire confirm talks

On the day that Takeda  Pharmaceutical (TYO: 4502) and Shire (LSE: SHP) confirmed that they had been in talks about the Japanese company’s proposals to take over the rare disease specialist, Ireland-incorporated drugmaker Allergan (NYSE: AGN) has put out a statement saying that it too is weighing up a bid.

Takeda’s interest in buying Shire first emerged last month, with the Osaka-based company saying that the deal would ‘create a truly global, value-based Japanese biopharmaceutical leader.’

In new statements, both companies have revealed details of talks that have taken place between them. There have been three offers made, worth between £41 billion ($58 billion) and £44 billion, and giving Shire shareholders ownership of between 50% and 51% of the enlarged Takeda.