Deals: Page 4
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Obesity drugs
Novo, continuing deal streak, buys another obesity drug startup
The acquisition of Embark Biotech, which Novo helped found, gives the company another prospect to add to its arsenal of weight-loss medicines.
By Jonathan Gardner • Aug. 30, 2023 -
FTC pulls back on legal challenge to Amgen’s $28B bid for Horizon
Urged by a judge, the antitrust regulator said it wants to start discussions “regarding the proper resolution of this matter” — a potential prelude to a settlement.
By Jonathan Gardner • Aug. 28, 2023 -
Trendline
Biotech dealmaking
Acquisitions of biotech companies have picked up in recent quarters, suggesting depressed valuations may be facilitating deal conversations. Read this trendline for a look at the factors impacting M&A.
By BioPharma Dive staff -
Danaher to buy antibody supplier Abcam for $5.7B
The acquisition gives Danaher ownership of a producer of research tools, such as antibodies and reagents, that are used in drug discovery experiments.
By Elise Reuter • Aug. 28, 2023 -
Royalty Pharma buys into Ferring’s cancer treatment in first gene therapy deal
The deal, worth up to $500 million, is a bet by the drug rights dealmaker on the uncertain commercial prospects of Ferring's gene therapy Adstiladrin.
By Ned Pagliarulo • Aug. 24, 2023 -
Illumina faces SEC probe over Grail acquisition
The regulator has asked for documents tied to the 2021 deal as well as to the conduct and compensation of Illumina and Grail management.
By Susan Kelly • Aug. 14, 2023 -
Obesity drugs
Novo adds another obesity drug in $1B deal for startup Inversago
The acquisition follows a similar-sized, obesity-focused buyout by Eli Lilly last month and hands Novo a weight-loss medicine already in mid-stage testing.
By Kristin Jensen • Aug. 10, 2023 -
Regeneron ups genetic medicine investment with Decibel buyout
Third Rock-founded Decibel, which has shed much of its value since a 2021 IPO, expected to run out of money within a year.
By Jonathan Gardner • Aug. 9, 2023 -
Ikena acquires cancer startup Pionyr after Gilead passes on buyout
The all-stock deal comes months after Gilead waived an option to buy Pionyr, and gives Ikena some needed breathing room in a tough market.
By Delilah Alvarado • Aug. 7, 2023 -
Agios turns to Alnylam for help with rare disease push
The biotech is acquiring rights to an RNA interference medicine Alnylam invented for a rare blood disorder, continuing a corporate makeover that began in 2020.
By Kristin Jensen • Aug. 3, 2023 -
TG shares tumble following licensing deal for MS drug
Some on Wall Street believe the New York-based biotechnology company is now less likely to get acquired after agreeing to sell partial rights to its only marketed product.
By Jacob Bell • Aug. 1, 2023 -
EQRx to sell to Revolution Medicines after failed bid to upend US drug pricing
The all-stock deal is a quiet end for the ambitious biotech, which was sold for its billion-dollar bank account after the FDA derailed its plans to develop low-cost cancer medicines.
By Ben Fidler • Aug. 1, 2023 -
Biogen to acquire rare disease drugmaker Reata for $7.3B
The deal is a major bet by Biogen and its new CEO Chris Viehbacher, who’s reorganized R&D, cut costs and laid off staff since becoming company head last year.
By Ned Pagliarulo • Updated July 28, 2023 -
AstraZeneca buys Pfizer’s early gene therapy work for up to $1B
The British pharma is deepening its investment in genetic medicine through a deal for a group of Pfizer’s gene therapy delivery tools, while the New York giant cuts back.
By Ben Fidler • July 28, 2023 -
Deep Dive
New antitrust merger guidelines could have chilling effect on healthcare deals
Regulators have historically struggled to halt complex and non-traditional tie-ups. That could change with new guidelines, as the Biden administration scrutinizes healthcare M&A, antitrust experts said.
By Rebecca Pifer • July 21, 2023 -
Sanofi, searching for new immune system drugs, partners with a young biotech
The deal with Recludix Pharma carries a $125 million near-term payment and specifically revolves around a “STAT6,” a protein that research suggests plays a role in some respiratory and skin disorders.
By Jacob Bell • July 20, 2023 -
Emerging biotech
Pfizer, Flagship join forces to hunt for 10 new drugs
The unusual research alliance involves the startup creator’s Pioneering Medicines initiative, which previously struck pacts with Novo Nordisk and the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.
By Gwendolyn Wu • July 18, 2023 -
Sanofi expands research deal with gene editing startup Scribe
Scribe will receive $40 million upfront from Sanofi in a collaboration initially focused on developing an in vivo gene editing treatment for sickle cell disease.
By Gwendolyn Wu • Updated July 17, 2023 -
Novartis buys a preclinical biotech and its RNA drug technology
For $500 million, Novartis will acquire DTx Pharma and its preclinical neurological disease drugs, marking the Swiss company’s latest investment in gene-silencing medicines.
By Delilah Alvarado • July 17, 2023 -
Obesity drugs
Lilly to buy Versanis, adding to obesity drug pipeline
The pharma will pay up to $1.9 billion to acquire the privately held biotech and its experimental antibody, which Lilly plans to pair with its own weight loss medicines.
By Ned Pagliarulo • July 14, 2023 -
RNA editing specialist Korro to go public via reverse merger
The deal with Frequency Therapeutics is the latest biotech reverse merger as private drugmakers still face challenges going public via an IPO.
By Delilah Alvarado • July 14, 2023 -
Illumina hit by EU with maximum fine for Grail acquisition
The European Commission called Illumina’s closing of the deal without its approval an “unprecedented” move that undermines its system for regulating the competitive landscape.
By Susan Kelly • July 12, 2023 -
Novartis cancels BeiGene deal as questions over cancer drug target persist
The companies’ decision to end their partnership on a TIGIT-blocking drug raises new doubts over a mechanism of action that has already produced setbacks for Roche and Merck.
By Jonathan Gardner • July 11, 2023 -
Brii buys further into VBI therapy, expanding hepatitis B partnership
The deal comes three months after VBI cut costs and laid off staff in a restructuring meant to prioritize the two medicines Brii is interested in.
By Delilah Alvarado • July 6, 2023 -
Bausch + Lomb bulks up OTC business with J&J deal
The eye care company has become an active acquirer under new CEO Brent Saunders, buying an eye drop product line one week after purchasing several medicines from Novartis.
By Ned Pagliarulo • July 6, 2023 -
Thermo Fisher to buy real-world evidence company CorEvitas for $913M
The contract services provider, which secured the deal through a reportedly competitive process, expects CorEvitas to expand its drug research business.
By Elise Reuter • July 6, 2023