Japan's Fair Trade Commission approved Takeda's $62 billion acquisition of Shire, inching the drugmaker closer to complete regulatory approval, Reuters reports.
Here's what you should know:
1. Japan joins the U.S., Brazil and China in approving the deal.
2. Takeda still needs EU antitrust regulators to clear the deal. Their decision is expected by Nov. 6, but regulators can open a four-month-long investigation if they have concerns.
3. Takeda CEO Christophe Weber said, "Takeda is proud of its Japanese heritage, and we are looking forward to building on this heritage as a combined company to continue delivering highly-innovative medicines that are transformative to patients in Japan and around the world."