Takeda Pharmaceutical has agreed to acquire the US-based vaccine developer LigoCyte Pharmaceuticals and its pipeline of virus-like particle (VLP)-based vaccines for gastrointestinal and respiratory indications. The company’s lead product, a vaccine for the prevention of norovirus gastroenteritis, is the only norovirus vaccine in clinical trials and Phase II data are expected in 2013. Takeda established its Vaccine Business Division in January 2012.