Takeda must sell gastro drug to merge with Shire – EU regulators

European regulators have officially rubber-stamped Takeda’s $62 billion takeovers of Shire, although the merged company will have to sell off a pipeline clinical trial drug for inflammatory bowel disease. Takeda already markets Entyvio (vedolizumab) and EU regulators are concerned that the merger would limit competition in this part of the drug market. To avoid the overlap Takeda and Shire have committed to divest SHP647, which is in late-stage development, and certain associated rights. The divestment is not a condition for completion, and Takeda said it expects SHP647 to “attract interest from a number of potential buyers.” Takeda said it remained “committed” to Entyvio, which has been granted marketing authorization in more than 60 countries and is the “cornerstone” of its portfolio of gastrointestinal drugs.