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

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

Explore the 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

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

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

Sarepta sells FDA fast pass earned from Duchenne gene therapy approval

The deal enables Sarepta to quickly cash in on the clearance of Elevidys, with $102 million in new funds to help bankroll its drug research.

By Jonathan Gardner • July 5, 2023

Novartis, continuing revamp, sells eye drugs to Bausch + Lomb for up to $2.5B

An agreement to divest the dry eye disease treatment Xiidra and a few other medicines adds to the Swiss pharma's yearslong push to slim down from the healthcare conglomerate it once was.

By Jonathan Gardner • June 30, 2023

Lilly to acquire cancer antibody drug startup Emergence

The yet-to-be-announced deal for the German biotech is the latest move by Lilly to bulk up its oncology business, adding a drug in early development for solid tumors.

By Gwendolyn Wu , Ben Fidler • June 29, 2023

Lilly takes over partner working on cell therapies for diabetes

Sigilon Therapeutics, a biotech that’s been collaborating with Lilly since 2018, has agreed to be bought for up to $310 million in the pharma’s second announced buyout this month.  

By Jacob Bell • June 29, 2023

FTC proposes updates to merger review that could slow healthcare dealmaking

A new rule proposed by antitrust regulators would ask companies to provide additional information about planned mergers to help the Federal Trade Commission keep pace with increased deal volume and complexity.

By Emily Olsen • June 28, 2023

Talaris, Tourmaline to combine in biotech’s latest reverse merger

The deal is the latest in a recent string of reverse mergers, which are enabling startups to sidestep initial public offerings in a difficult funding climate.

By Kristin Jensen • June 22, 2023

Lilly to buy oral immune drug developer Dice Therapeutics for $2.4B

The deal signals pharma’s continued interest in pills for inflammatory conditions, which are meant to approach the potency of injectable therapies.

By Ben Fidler • June 20, 2023

Coherus doubles down on immuno-oncology with latest deal

Known for its work in biosimilars, Coherus will acquire two drugs in testing for cancer through a roughly $65 million buyout of Surface Oncology.

By Jacob Bell • June 16, 2023

Pfizer refiles Seagen deal paperwork with regulators

Andrew Berens, an analyst at SVB Securities, noted Wednesday’s refiling could be a strategy to provide the FTC with more information, but sidestep a more onerous “second request.”

By Ned Pagliarulo • Updated June 14, 2023

Novartis to acquire kidney disease biotech Chinook for up to $3.5B

The Swiss pharma is betting that two experimental drugs the biotech has developed for IgA nephropathy will succeed in late-stage testing, one of which will deliver results later this year.

By Ben Fidler • June 12, 2023

Antibiotic maker Paratek, low on cash, agrees to a buyout

Gurnet Point Capital and Novo Holdings aim to take Paratek private in a deal that highlights the challenges small biotechs face selling new antibiotics.

By Ben Fidler • June 6, 2023

Novo Nordisk in talks to acquire French device-maker Biocorp for $165M

Biocorp’s “smart pen” technology could improve diabetes management and potentially be used in other areas Novo works in like obesity, one analyst said.

By Elise Reuter • Updated June 6, 2023

Concentra bids on Atea, seeking to acquire another struggling biotech

However, Atea’s board said Tuesday they rejected the offer from Concentra, which was recently involved in the takeover of Jounce Therapeutics.

By Gwendolyn Wu • Updated May 30, 2023

Ironwood to buy rare disease drugmaker in billion-dollar deal

The acquisition would give Ironwood a drug in late-stage testing for a condition known as short bowel syndrome, further building out the company’s gastrointestinal-focused research.

By Jacob Bell • May 22, 2023