As 2023 began, biopharmaceutical industry observers predicted an increase in both merger-and-acquisition activity as well as the return of some larger transactions similar to the occasional mega-mergers seen before the COVID-19 pandemic. During the first quarter, this expectation was realized as Pfizer Inc. sought to bolster its cancer biologics portfolio with the $43bn acquisition of the antibody-drug conjugate specialist Seagen.
The Biggest M&A Announcements Of 2023 Show Deals Are Getting Bigger
M&A activity in 2023 began with March’s $43bn mega-deal for Seagen, but only one eight-figure takeout has occurred since. Still, the values are higher overall than seen in 2022 and might indicate a gradual return to larger deals.

More from Scrip Perspectives
The world’s biggest pharmaceutical companies mostly saw growth in 2024 but 2025 promises to be more of a mixed bag with headwinds including losses of exclusivity, Medicare Part D redesign and challenges in the Chinese market.
Over 140 biopharma leaders share their views on developments to watch for in key therapeutic areas this year. Advances in multiple scientific fields are opening up new avenues for treatment.
All the elements for a big M&A year are in place, but political uncertainty and interest rates could push more deals into the second half of the year, according to business development experts at BIO CEO & Investor.
Scrip surveys some of the more interesting Phase III clinical trial readouts expected this year.
More from Scrip
As drugmakers update investors on first quarter financial performance, uncertainty around global trade and US regulatory oversight is likely to dominate discussions.
Faced with Trump’s hostile tariff moves, the UK aims to speed up clinical trial start times to support its pharma sector and invest £600m in a new health data research service.
The biotech has rejected a takeover bid from Nordic Capital but a sale to private equity could be a solution to the public market's continued reluctance to adequately value PureTech’s hub-and-spoke business model.