Takeda To Close Deerfield Headquarters, Move 1,000 Jobs To Boston

DEERFIELD, IL — Takeda Pharmaceuticals intends to move about 1,000 remaining employees out of its North American headquarters in Deerfield, whether or not it a deal to purchase an Irish company goes through, Crain's Chicago Business reported. Takeda said it will transfer the work currently being done in Deerfield to Boston once the pending $62 billion deal to buy Dublin-based Shire closes, and even if it doesn't, as a company spokesperson told Crain's, "it would remain our intent to progressively consolidate from Deerfield to the Boston area."

In May, Takeda agreed a $62.2 billion deal to purchase the Dublin-based pharmaceutical company Shire. Counting debt, the acquisition with a pricetag approaching $80 billion including Shire's debt, according to Dealogic, which said it was the largest-ever for a Japanese company. Bloomberg reported the deal passed muster from the U.S. Federal Trade Commission in July and awaits approval from European regulators.

Crain's reports Takeda has been gradually shrinking its Deerfield workforce as it consolidates its North American operations in Boston, where it acquired two companies over the past decade.

"This move, while difficult, will allow closer collaboration across Takeda to best position our future pipeline for success. It will also simplify our existing Takeda U.S. operations," the company said in a statement.

Takeda has operated in the Chicago area for more than 40 years, according to Crain's. Last summer, the company moved about 700 of its 1,700 positions to Massachusetts and made a move to sublease one of the buildings. Upon completion of its merger with Shire, which has its U.S. headquarters in Boston, the company expects to cut its combined workforce by about 7 percent.

The company will be missed, Deerfield Mayor Harriet Rosenthal told the Chicago Tribune. She said the village hoped "someone will take over those beautiful buildings" on its campus along Lake Cook Road west of I-94.

“It’s sad they chose to leave Deerfield," Rosenthal said. "For the employees who will relocate or lose their jobs we’re sorry to see them go.”

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Earlier: Takeda Pharmaceuticals Relocates Some Of Its 1,700 Employees In Deerfield