UK-listed drugmaker, known for ADHD treatment Adderall, is valued at more than £30bnShares in the UK-listed drugmaker Shire surged after Japan’s biggest pharmaceutical company, Takeda Pharmaceutical, said it was considering making a takeover approach. Shire’s shares jumped as much as 33% to £38.79 on the news, and later traded 17% higher at £36, valuing the company at £32.8bn. Shire, founded in Basingstoke, Hampshire, in 1986, is best known for its ADHD drug Adderall but its focus in recent years has been on rare diseases. Takeda said it was “at a preliminary and exploratory stage” in considering a bid, and no approach had been made to the Shire board. Takeda said a deal would strengthen its presence in its core areas of oncology, gastrointestinal and neuroscience drugs, as well as boosting its position in specialised medicines by adding Shire’s rare disease portfolio.

Source: The Guardian March 28, 2018 10:46 UTC