By Benjamin Horney ( August 28, 2015, 4:59 PM EDT) -- U.S. biotech Baxalta Inc., which is currently in the throes of a $30 billion hostile takeover attempt by Shire PLC, is in talks to buy Ariad Pharmaceuticals Inc., Bloomberg reported on Friday. According to the report, Baxalta is interested in acquiring Ariad as a way to bolster its own oncology business. Baxalta has been fending off Shire since early August, when the company first launched its bid, valued around $30 billion, seeking a tie-up that would create a biotech giant focused on treatments for rare diseases. Earlier this month, reports said that Baxalta indicated it would be willing to talk shop with Shire if the offer is improved....