With one week to go in 2015, there are still a few big pharmaceutical deals in the works. Shire plc (NASDAQ: SHPG) is now in friendly talks to take over Baxalta International Inc. (NYSE: BXLT) for a price rumored to be above $30 billion. By who’s waiting for 2016? Here is a preliminary tally of the year in pharmaceutical M&A, and how it compares to previous years. Spoiler alert: 2015 is another record year in dollar value.
Pharmaceutical M&A, 2011 to 2015*
| 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deal volume | 115 | 103 | 150 | 188 | 167 |
| % change | 11% | -10% | 46% | 25% | -11% |
| Deal value | $44.1 billion | $38.1 billion | $66.7 billion | $213.3 billion | $297.4 billion |
| % change | 11% | -14% | 76% | 219% | 40% |
| *= thru Dec. 23 |