BRIEF—Takeda shareholders to vote on Shire deal

Takeda Pharmaceutical has announced it will hold a general meeting of shareholders on October 19, to vote on its proposed acquisition of the rare disease specialist Shire.

The firm also provided an update on key activities undertaken since the $62 billion offer was announced on May 8, including a $7.5 billion term loan credit agreement and receipt of clearance from regulatory agencies in the USA, China and elsewhere.

Takeda says that strengthened cash flow after the purchase will enable it to keep paying dividends and de-leverage to a debt to EBITDA ratio of two or less within three to five years.