M&A trends in 2019: Will the biotech bubble burst?

New technologies have driven higher valuations in pharma and biotech, yet some big bankers are uncertain how long that trend will hold.

By Jacob Bell • Nov. 30, 2018

Sun Pharma acquires two manufacturing plants in deal for Japanese company

Acquiring Pola Pharma won't cost the Indian generics maker much, and boosts its dermatology presence in Japan.

By Suzanne Elvidge • Nov. 29, 2018

Roche joins NASH dash with Jecure buy

Still, Jecure's portfolio of preclinical assets leaves Roche far behind leaders in the space like Gilead and Intercept.

By Jacob Bell • Nov. 28, 2018

England's NHS says Humira biosimilar pacts to save more than $300M

The U.K. agency called it the biggest discount for any single drug negotiation, which closely follows the launch in Europe of four copycats of AbbVie's drug.

By Suzanne Elvidge • Nov. 27, 2018

Cambrex acquires Avista in $250M deal

Analysts note the deal, which gives Cambrex facilities as well as new capabilities, will make the company more competitive in the CDMO space.

By Suzanne Elvidge • Nov. 21, 2018

Leo, PellePharm strike rare disease deal

The agreement directs Leo Pharma into the world of rare disease therapeutics, a route increasingly taken by drugmakers.

By Suzanne Elvidge • Nov. 21, 2018

Boehringer, Epizyme take aim at 'undruggable' cancer targets

A new deal between the companies focuses on two epigenetic targets linked with the development of cancer.

By Suzanne Elvidge • Nov. 16, 2018

Catalent bringing 2nd clinical supply facility to China

The contract manufacturer expects to invest $2.5 million in the facility and officially open it in early 2019.

By Suzanne Elvidge • Nov. 15, 2018

United Therapeutics licenses Arena's hypertension drug for $800M

The deal may help United, a company almost entirely focused on pulmonary arterial hypertension medicines, compete with main rival Johnson & Johnson.

By Andrew Dunn • Nov. 15, 2018

Sobi snags rights to AstraZeneca drugs in another immunology play

"Immunology now becomes the second leg to Sobi and it helps us to articulate what specialty care is about," the company's CEO said on the deal.

By Jacob Bell • Nov. 13, 2018

Mylan, Theravance win FDA approval for COPD drug

The companies now face the daunting task of launching Yupelri into a market dominated by several heavyweight brands.

By Suzanne Elvidge • Nov. 12, 2018

Hikma, Vectura team up to target GSK respiratory drugs

Together, the companies plan to develop generic copies to at least three of GSK's lineup of Ellipta medicines.

By Kristin Jensen • Nov. 8, 2018

AstraZeneca sells 3 drugs for $350M upfront

In exchange for the upfront payment plus some milestones, Switzerland-based Covis Pharma gets access to Alvesco, Omnaris and Zetonna.

By Suzanne Elvidge • Nov. 7, 2018

Abeona inks deal with Regenxbio for gene therapy vector supply

Viral vectors are a key component of gene therapy development. Securing rights to Regenxbio's AAV9 vector could help accelerate Abeona's R&D work. 

By Suzanne Elvidge • Nov. 6, 2018

Lilly snaps up regulatory 'fast pass' for bargain price

Past sales of priority review vouchers commanded prices far greater than the $80 million Lilly paid to Siga Technologies in this recent deal. 

By Suzanne Elvidge • Nov. 2, 2018

Sanofi inks research deal with Denali in neurological, inflammatory diseases

The French pharma will pay $125 million upfront to get in on development of Denali's RIPK1 inhibitors, targeting several diseases including ALS and MS.

By Andrew Dunn • Nov. 1, 2018

M&A, debt dampen US healthcare risk profile, report finds

The number of investment grade bonds in healthcare has nearly tripled since 2008 to $609 billion, according to Fitch Ratings.

By Meg Bryant • Oct. 30, 2018

Eli Lilly puts up $100M in RNAi deal with Dicerna

With plans to collaborate on more than 10 targets, the agreement is rich in milestone payments that could reach in the billions for Dicerna.

By Andrew Dunn • Oct. 29, 2018

Pfizer, Novartis partner in hunt to find drugs for NASH

Estimates of prevalence of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis are all over the map, but the pact is more evidence pharma sees a potentially lucrative market.

By Ned Pagliarulo • Oct. 29, 2018

AbbVie takes over cystic fibrosis drugs from Galapagos

It's a risky bet that the experimental treatments from Galapagos can outflank market leader Vertex's dominant position.

By Suzanne Elvidge • Oct. 26, 2018

Keeping up deal frenzy, Alexion strikes an RNAi pact

An agreement that could be worth more than $600 million will add two preclinical RNAi molecules from Dicerna to Alexion's pipeline.

By Andrew Dunn • Oct. 24, 2018

AstraZeneca picks up immunotherapy drugs, equity stake in Innate deal

Through the deal, AstraZeneca will pick up full rights to an anti-NKG2A antibody that had originally drawn the pharma's interest in 2015.

By Suzanne Elvidge • Oct. 24, 2018

AbbVie reaches 5th deal to secure Humira through 2023

Through a settlement with AbbVie, Fresenius Kabi's copycat biologic won't launch in the U.S. until late 2023, pending it securing FDA approval by then. 

By Suzanne Elvidge • Oct. 19, 2018

Novartis buys Endocyte for $2.1B in latest deal under CEO Narasimhan

The acquisition, announced as Novartis reported third quarter earnings, adds another radioligand therapy to the Swiss pharma's pipeline. 

By Ned Pagliarulo • Oct. 18, 2018

DOJ clears CVS-Aetna union

Approval of the $69 billion deal comes with a condition to sell Aetna's Medicare Part D business. 

By Samantha Liss • Oct. 10, 2018