Singapore – Aimed at satisfying European Commission (EC) concerns about the potential overlap in the inflammatory disease space, Takeda Pharmaceutical Company has proposed divesting Shire plc's Phase 3-stage SHP647, which is in the final stages of experimental testing for the treatment of two gastrointestinal disorders: Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis and related assets in order to keep the review of the proposed merger moving forward.

Takeda currently markets Entyvio (vedolizumab)  for these conditions and remains committed to the product considering its importance to its GI portfolio. The takeover has already won approval from China, the U.S. Federal Trade Commission, Brazil and Japan, making Europe the final major market that needs to sign off.

There are no other discussions with the EC about marketed or pipeline products.