Takeda to buy Swiss drugmaker Nycomed for $13.6 billion

TOKYO (Reuters) - Takeda Pharmaceutical Co <4502.T>, Japan's largest drugmaker, said on Thursday it would buy privately held Swiss rival Nycomed for 9.6 billion euros ($13.6 billion) as it seeks to expand in Europe and emerging markets.

The purchase would also offer Takeda access to lung-disease drug Daxas, just approved in the United States, and a portfolio of over-the-counter consumer products.

Nycomed is majority owned by four private equity firms, led by Nordic Capital with 41 percent. Credit Suisse's <CSGN.VX> DLJ Merchant Banking has 25.6 percent, Coller International Partners 9.7 percent and Avista 8.9 percent.

($1 = 0.707 Euros)

(Reporting by James Topham; Editing by Edwina Gibbs)