TOKYO -- The rapidly advancing field of cancer immunotherapy is pushing Takeda Pharmaceutical and its global competitors to make a series of bold deals in order to position themselves in one of the most promising areas in pharmaceuticals.
One major impetus for spending around 6 trillion yen ($55 billion) to take over Irish peer Shire is that Takeda finds itself playing catchup to the likes of Ono Pharmaceutical, the domestic rival that developed the blockbuster cancer medication Opdivo.
