Merck Strikes Another Oncology Deal

Merck Strikes Another Oncology Deal

Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE: MRK) is back with another oncology deal. The global pharmaceutical giant has announced it is acquiring OncoImmune for $425 million in cash upfront. OncoImmune is a privately-held, clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company that is actively engaged in the discovery and development of novel biopharmaceuticals for the treatment of cancer and autoimmune disease. OncoImmune recently announced positive top-line findings from a Phase 3 study evaluating its lead therapeutic candidate CD24Fc for the treatment of patients with COVID-19. Under the terms of the agreement, OncoImmune shareholders will also be eligible to receive sales-based payments and payments contingent on... Read More »
Cancer Treatments Are Driving Biopharmaceutical M&A

Cancer Treatments Are Driving Biopharmaceutical M&A

It’s been a busy year for mergers and acquisitions in the Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical industries. Combined spending on M&A is close to $268 billion mid-way through December, with 229 transactions reported. Although the number of deals is 34% lower than 2018’s combined total of 345, spending skyrocketed 62%, from just $165 billion in all of 2018. Two recent deals from major drug manufacturers highlight what’s behind the trend. On December 9, Sanofi announced its $2.5 billion acquisition of Synthorx, Inc. (NASDAQ: THOR), a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on treating cancer and autoimmune disorders. The price consists of $68 per share, a 172% premium to... Read More »

MCOs Make Deals to Combat High Drug Costs

The rising cost of prescription drugs was part of many candidates’ campaign platforms in the 2016 national elections. The topic has not gone away, and is certainly a factor in the dearth of Big Pharma deals in 2017.  Through June 15, M&A in the Pharma sector is down 43%, to 44 transactions, compared with the same period in 2016, which had 77 transactions. Spending is also down in for the first six months of 2017. Through June 15, acquirers announced $19.2 billion in committed financing, down 66% from the same period in 2016, when approximately $56.5 billion was spent. There are deals being done, regarding this issue, but most are not M&A. In fact, several managed care... Read More »

Generic Drug Deals Are Getting Rarer

The patent cliff is boosting the volume and market share of generic pharmaceutical products. Generics account for 88% of all prescriptions filled annually in the United States, according to the latest IMS Report. For good reason, since generic drugs typically cost between 50% to 70% less than their branded equivalents. Governments and managed care companies have historically been proponents of generic drugs, which can lower the cost of healthcare across the entire continuum. 2015 was the year of the M&A boom in the generic drug segment, with 25 deals totaling $64.8 billion. The targets include the companies focused on generic pharmaceuticals as well as the... Read More »

Fresenius Injects $5.1 Billion into its U.S. Pharma Unit

Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA (NYSE: FMS) has been a busy deal maker. In 2016, its subsidiary Fresenius Helios bought the Spanish hospital chain Quironsalud for $6.5 billion, its Renal Care division acquired the rights to a chronic kidney disease drug for up to $282 million, and then a German-based cardiovascular medical device company for an undisclosed price. The company also picked up dialysis clinics throughout India and New York State, and other drug licenses in the meantime. Now, it has turned its attention to strengthening Fresenius Kabi, its sterile injectable medicines subsidiary. Biosimilars are a fast-growing segment within the pharmaceutical market,... Read More »