In an attempt to bolster its oncology pipeline, Takeda has paid Hutchmed US$400 M upfront and committed up to US$730 M more for the further development and commercialisation of fruquintinib outside of mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau. Fruquintinib is a vascular endothelial growth factor receptor inhibitor for the treatment of refractory metastatic colorectal cancer. The drug will be a welcome addition to Takeda’s oncology franchise, as its top-seller cancer drug Velcade® (bortezomib) faces ongoing generic erosion.