BRIEF—Takeda receives clearance from China's SAMR for Shire acquisition

Japanese drug major Takeda Pharmaceutical says that it has received unconditional clearance from the State Administration for Market Regulation in China (SAMR) for the proposed $62 billion acquisition of rare diseases specialist Shire announced on May 8, 2018.

As announced on July 10, Takeda has received unconditional clearance for the acquisition from the US Federal Trade Commission. As confirmed on August 28, Takeda has received unconditional clearance from the Brazilian Administrative Council for Economic Defense.

The SAMR’s unconditional clearance of the acquisition is another key step in the transaction process.

The acquisition remains subject to a number of conditions, including receipt of other regulatory clearances, notably in Japan and the European Union, and approval by the shareholders of both companies.