We are thrilled to share our new status as the only pharmaceutical company listed on both the Tokyo and New York Stock Exchanges, representing an exciting acceleration point in our transformative journey as a truly global, Values-based, R&D-driven, biopharmaceutical leader. Our recent acquisition of Shire, completed in only eight months from announcement to deal close and with overwhelming shareholder support and approval rates, has strengthened Takeda’s global position and significantly expanded our R&D capacity, enabling an even more robust and modality-diverse pipeline. Our enduring focus is the delivery of breakthrough innovation in support of Better Health and a Brighter Future, with an unwavering commitment to patients every step of the way.
The future is indeed bright. We have an attractive, expanded geographic footprint with leading positions in Japan and the U.S., bringing our highly innovative medicines to approximately 80 countries and regions. Our annual revenue now exceeds $30 billion, derived from our four therapeutic areas of Oncology, Gastroenterology, Neuroscience, and Rare Diseases, as well as targeted R&D investments in Plasma-Derived Therapies and Vaccines.
On January 15, our President and CEO Christophe Weber rang the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange, marking our new connection to U.S. and worldwide audiences, which will enable us to deliver our highly-innovative medicines and transformative care to more people around the world than ever before.