January 9, 2017
Willkie represented Sarissa Capital Management, the largest shareholder of ARIAD, in connection with the proposed transaction.
On January 9, ARIAD Pharmaceuticals announced that it has agreed to be acquired by Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited for approximately $5.2 billion. Willkie represented Sarissa Capital Management, the largest shareholder of ARIAD, in connection with the proposed transaction.
Willkie had previously represented Sarissa in two threatened proxy fights with ARIAD, as a result of which, Alexander Denner, the founder of Sarissa, was appointed Chairman of the Board of Directors of ARIAD.
ARIAD Pharmaceuticals, Inc., headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts, is focused on discovering, developing and commercializing precision therapies for patients with rare cancers. ARIAD is working on new medicines to advance the treatment of rare forms of chronic and acute leukemia, lung cancer and other rare cancers.
The matter was handled by partner Russell Leaf and counsel Jared Fertman.
