1.Japan's Eisai acquired US-based MGI Pharma for $3.9 billion in October 2007, to help boost its oncology offering.

2.India's Lupin acquired Kyowa Pharma, one of the top generic pharmaceuticals companies in Japan, for an undisclosed sum in October 2007.

3.Japanese multinational Kirin acquired Kyowa Hakko Kogyo for $2.6 billion in October 2007, to expand its pharmaceuticals business.

4.Japan's Takeda acquired US-based oncology company Millenium Pharmaceuticals for $8.8 billion in April 2008, the largest overseas acquisition by a Japanese drug maker at that time.

5.Japan's Daiichi Sankyo acquired India's Ranbaxy Laboratories for $4.6 billion in June 2008, marking a significant geographic expansion.