The $16.5bn deal, intended to increase Novo Nordisk’s production of semaglutide-containing products, led a $36bn-plus quarter for M&A transactions, according to Evaluate.

Janux reported early clinical trial data for its lead asset JANX007 that may show differentiated efficacy in the crowded PSMA space and for an EGFR agent with lung and kidney tumor shrinkage.

With all signs pointing towards a year ripe with partnering opportunities, four big pharma dealmakers reveal what they are looking for.

More than 100 biopharma executives and experts told Scrip their predictions for therapeutic area advances in the coming year. The recent commercial success of GLP-1s in diabetes and obesity and their potential in further disease areas fuelled excitement around the metabolic space. Expectations were also positive in neurology following the launch of Leqembi for Alzheimer’s disease in 2023, while the multiple opportunities to improve cancer treatment kept oncology top of the pile overall.