Q1 Was Slow For Deals, But That Could Change With One Big Transaction – PwC

Life science deal-making declined by volume during the first quarter, but aggregate value was up. Looking ahead, PwC sees an ideal environment for major deals – if something like Takeda/Shire sparks a trend.

Rocket takes off from the hand of the businessman. Concept of start up.

By volume, life sciences deal-making declined during the first quarter of 2018, although four fairly large deals meant that the aggregate value of such deals rose compared to the fourth quarter, PwC’s deal practice notes in a new report. But the group thinks completion of one big transaction could open the floodgates, so to speak.

There has been a lot of speculation about an increase in deals with the US corporate tax reform that passed...

More from Deals

Novo Nordisk Teams With Deep Apple On Non-Incretin Obesity Approach

 
• By 

Novo Nordisk will partner with privately held Deep Apple to study a novel, non-incretin target that could be better suited than GLP-1s for long-term obesity treatment.

Will Pfizer Walk Away From Arvinas After PROTAC Disappointment?

 

Arvinas and Pfizer have just filed the potential first-in-class protein degrader vepdegestrant, but its diminished commercial prospects after mixed Phase III data mean Pfizer could exit.

A MoonLake Buyout Would Boost Merck & Co’s Immunology Ambitions

 

As the patent protection clock ticks down on Merck’s flagship blockbuster Keytruda, the company is reported to be pursuing the inflammation and immunology biotech. Such a move would bulk up its sparse I&I pipeline.

Deal Watch: Lilly Licenses Camurus’s Delivery Technology For Long-Acting Incretins

 
• By 

Plus deals involving Roche/Vividion, Alto/Chase, Biogen/City Therapeutics, Sanofi/Nurix and Naya/Invo.

More from Business

Insmed’s PAH Data Indicate Potential To Surpass Established Therapies

 
• By 

Insmed’s inhaled treprostinil exceeded goals for reducing pulmonary vascular resistance and improving six-minute walk test distance in Phase IIb data.

Stock Watch: On Q1 Vaccine Sales And Measles Outbreaks

 
• By 

A recent study suggested that measles could become endemic in the US due to low vaccination rates. However, first-quarter vaccine sales offered a more nuanced picture.

Merck & Co.’s RSV Antibody Approved In US In Time To Compete With Blockbuster Beyfortus

 
• By 

The US FDA approved Merck’s Enflonsia (clesrovimab) to prevent RSV in newborns and infants on the same day Sanofi assured that it would ship Beyfortus in time for the 2025-2026 RSV season.