Illumina scraps $1.2B PacBio takeover amid regulatory pushback

The FTC's action to block the deal comes amid heightened scrutiny of life sciences deals, most notably Roche's now completed buyout of Spark.

By Nick Paul Taylor • Jan. 3, 2020

Roche hands $1B to Sarepta in major return to gene therapy deals

The Swiss pharma acquired a muscular dystrophy treatment for markets outside the U.S. in a pact that could reach a value of $10 billion.

By Jonathan Gardner • Dec. 23, 2019

Biogen, Novartis go different ways on Ionis therapies

An Ionis Alzheimer's drug is getting licensed by Biogen at the same time that Novartis decided not to opt-in on an Akcea therapy for high triglyceride levels.

By Jacob Bell • Dec. 19, 2019

Jazz lines up $1B for lung cancer drug, making oncology focus clear

While the Irish biopharma is best known for its sleep drugs, this deal adds to a pipeline that shows Jazz's ambitions are in cancer.

By Andrew Dunn • Dec. 19, 2019

Global Blood taps Syros for its next act in blood disorders

Fresh off a sickle cell approval, Global Blood is looking to Syros' technology to keep up with the rapid innovation happening there and in beta thalassemia.

By Jacob Bell • Dec. 18, 2019

Roche's $4.8B deal for Spark cleared by FTC after long delay

An unconditional OK for the deal, which was unexpectedly the target of regulatory scrutiny, should ease sector-wide concerns about acquisitions of gene therapy biotechs.

By Ned Pagliarulo • Updated Dec. 17, 2019

Sanofi buys Synthorx for $2.5B in prelude to Hudson's strategy rollout

At a hefty 172% premium for a company with little clinical data, the ambitious buyout comes a day before new CEO Paul Hudson will unveil his plans for the French pharma.

By Andrew Dunn • Dec. 9, 2019

Merck's ArQule buy showcases pharma appetite for targeted cancer drugs

The biotech's experimental drug targeting the BTK protein is of particular interest to Merck & Co., which is acquiring ArQule at more than a 100% premium.

By Jacob Bell • Dec. 9, 2019

Deal of the Year: Bristol-Myers Squibb buys Celgene

Whether or not the $74 billion acquisition succeeds for Bristol-Myers, its impact on biotech will be wide-reaching by erasing Celgene, one of the industry's most active dealmakers.

By Andrew Dunn • Dec. 9, 2019

Disruptor of the Year: The Federal Trade Commission

A more active FTC, suggested by the surprise delay for Roche's takeover of Spark, could slow dealmaking in an industry that relies on big pharma buyouts.

By Jonathan Gardner • Dec. 9, 2019

Executive of the Year: Josh Bilenker, Loxo Oncology

Along with other recently acquired cancer companies like Ignyta and Array, Loxo proved out a drug development model that Bilenker likens to baseball's "moneyball" thesis. 

By Ned Pagliarulo • Dec. 9, 2019

We're not for sale, Alexion executives declare

After meeting with hedge fund Elliott Advisors, the biotech said its product switching strategy and drug pipeline will drive more value than seeking buyers.

By Jonathan Gardner • Dec. 6, 2019

Astellas joins gene therapy race with $3B Audentes buy

Manufacturing was a key draw for Astellas, which gains access to a plant owned by Audentes that can support clinical and commercial production. 

By Ned Pagliarulo • Dec. 3, 2019

Neurocrine, Xenon ink R&D deal targeting rare form of epilepsy

Working to expand its pipeline beyond the tardive dyskinesia drug Ingrezza, Neurocrine will gain access to one clinical and several preclinical treatments.

By Andrew Dunn • Dec. 2, 2019

Medicines Co. deal caps pharma's reentry into field it once abandoned

Large pharma companies like Novartis, Roche and J&J are buying back into RNAi, a technology that several retreated from in the early 2010s.

By Ned Pagliarulo • Nov. 26, 2019

What Novartis needs to do to make Medicines Co. deal a success

Research, sales and payer teams must execute for inclisiran to succeed in a market where would-be rivals Repatha and Praluent have faltered.

By Jonathan Gardner • Nov. 25, 2019

Novartis buys Medicines Co. in $9.7B bet on cholesterol drug

Acquiring The Medicines Company gives Novartis access to inclisiran, a lipid-lowering drug likely to win approval but facing uncertain commercial prospects.

By Ned Pagliarulo • Nov. 24, 2019

Alkermes follows up restructuring with Rodin acqusition

Worth up to $950 million, the deal will give Alkermes access to a preclinical pipeline aimed at diseases rooted in disrupted synapses like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.

By Jonathan Gardner • Nov. 18, 2019

Dicerna links up with Novo in its 5th, likely final, liver-focused R&D deal

The Danish drugmaker will use the biotech's RNAi platform to develop therapies for diseases like NASH, diabetes and obesity.

By Andrew Dunn • Nov. 18, 2019

Roche wagers $1.4B that Promedior has its next big fibrosis drug

Promedior's main drug targets a lung disease known as idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and could help Roche once orphan exclusivity runs out on Esbriet.​

By Jacob Bell • Nov. 15, 2019

Sarepta brings in more gene therapies with StrideBio deal

The deal adds four more neuromuscular candidates to the Exondys maker's already-rich pipeline.

By Jonathan Gardner • Nov. 14, 2019

Merck wants to know if taking out cellular trash can treat Alzheimer's

The big pharma is acquiring Calporta Therapeutics to test whether drugs that promote lysosome function can combat neurodegenerative disorders.

By Jacob Bell • Nov. 13, 2019

Amgen's China ambitions become clear with BeiGene deal

Oncology-focused deal will see the biotech take a 21% stake in a Chinese partner and share commercialization of three drugs.

By Jonathan Gardner • Nov. 1, 2019

Roivant, Sumitomo alliance to target cystic fibrosis gene therapy

The companies unveiled the previously unnamed Spirovant as the fifth subsidiary sold to Sumitomo in last month's $3 billion deal.

By Ned Pagliarulo • Oct. 31, 2019

Roche takes aim at hepatitis B, striking R&D deal with Dicerna

The Swiss pharma will pay $200 million while lining up to $1.5 billion in milestones to gain access to a Phase 1 drug and Dicerna's RNAi technology.

By Andrew Dunn • Oct. 31, 2019