Ono Pharmaceutical’s headquarters in Osaka, Japan. (Photo by Nikkei)

YUKI MISUMI and NEO JIMBO, Nikkei staff writers |

OSAKA — Ono Pharmaceutical plans to purchase an American cancer drug maker for $2.4 billion in its largest acquisition yet, seeking growth with new-drug candidates as key patents on the Japanese company’s Opdivo cancer immunotherapy expire from 2028.

Ono announced Tuesday an agreement to acquire all outstanding shares in Nasdaq-listed Deciphera Pharmaceuticals via a tender offer, expecting to complete the sale in the third quarter. The price of $25.60 per share represents a 74.7% premium over Deciphera stock’s closing price on Friday.

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