Takeda plans 500b yen debt issuance

TOKYO: Takeda Pharmaceutical Co has filed to issue up to 500 billion yen (RM18.3 billion) of notes in what would be corporate Japan’s biggest ever bond if done in a single tranche. The drug maker has taken on massive debt for its US$62 billion (RM253 billion) takeover of Shire Plc, which vaulted it into the ranks of the 10 biggest drug makers by sales while doubling its borrowing level. The management doesn’t intend to raise its debt load further but may look to “optimise” the structure by refinancing borrowings.