LONDON, Jan 9 (APM) - Takeda said on Monday it is beefing up its oncology portfolio with the $5.2 billion acquisition of U.S. biotech Ariad Pharmaceuticals.

The Japanese group said in a statement that the deal will transform its global cancer business.

Its chief executive Christophe Weber said: "The acquisition of Ariad is a unique opportunity that will enable us to positively impact the lives of more patients worldwide, advance our strategic priorities and generate attractive returns for our shareholders.

"This is a very exciting time for Takeda as we will broaden our haematology portfolio and transform our global solid tumour franchise through the addition of two innovative targeted therapies. Opportunities to acquire such high-quality, complementary targeted therapies do not come often, and we are very excited about the potential for this transaction to benefit patients, our shareholders and other stakeholders."

The acquisition brings two innovative targeted therapies that will expand and enhance Takeda's existing oncology portfolio, it said. Brigatinib, an investigational drug, has the potential to add a differentiated, global therapy in a genetically-defined subpopulation of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

The addition of Iclusig (ponatinib) will broaden Takeda's haematology franchise to include chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) and a subset of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL). "Together, these two innovative targeted therapies will position Takeda for sustainable long-term growth in oncology," it added.

Ariad announced at the end of November that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration had granted full approval to Iclusig (ponatinib) for the treatment of adults with certain types of leukaemia. (APMMA 50658)

Ariad provided 2016 revenue guidance for Iclusig of $170-180 million, and Takeda said it expects significant long-term revenue potential from the two lead assets.

It believes the acquisition of the U.S. biotech will boost underlying core earnings by full-year 2018 and will be broadly neutral in 2017. Strong revenue growth and cost savings will offset increased sales and marketing costs for the brigatinib launch, it added.

Takeda's oncology products are Velcade (bortezomib) for multiple myeloma, Leuplin (leuprorolin) for breast cancer, prostate cancer and endometriosis, Vectibix (panitumumab), approved in unresectable advanced or recurrent colorectal cancer, Adcetris (brentuximab) for malignant lymphoma and Ninlaro (ixazomib) for multiple myeloma.

The news comes on the same day it emerged that Takeda has bought a 4.48% in Belgium's TiGenix (APMMA 51219) and a report from EY forecasting a surge in takeover activity in the pharma sector this year. (APMMA 51225)

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