Market Intelligence

Two $2bn+ alliances were penned in August. Topping the list was a multi-target deal between Shape Therapeutics and Roche that could exceed $3bn. Through the partnership, ShapeTX will apply its proprietary RNA editing platform RNAfix and potentially leverage its AAVid technology platform for next-generation tissue-specific adeno-associated viruses for the development of gene therapy for certain targets in the areas of Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and rare diseases. Roche is responsible for the development and worldwide commercialization of any potential products resulting from the collaboration. In the top August M&A by deal value, Sanofi entered into a definitive agreement to acquire all outstanding shares of public messenger RNA therapeutics company Translate Bio for $38.00 per share in cash (a 20% premium to Translate's 10-day pre-announcement market average), which represents a total equity value of approximately $3.2bn. Founded in 2011, Translate Bio is developing a new class of medicines to treat diseases caused by protein or gene dysfunction, or to prevent infectious diseases by generating protective immunity. The company is primarily focused on applying its technology to treat pulmonary diseases with a lead pulmonary candidate being evaluated as an inhaled treatment for cystic fibrosis in a Phase I/II clinical trial. Its MRT platform may be applied to various classes of treatments, such as therapeutic antibodies or vaccines in areas such as oncology. Financing reached $4.4bn in biopharma, $1.5bn in device, and $256m in diagnostics.

A deeper understanding of rare diseases – how they differ across geographies and ethnicities, or which genes and biomarkers are most useful targets for new treatments – can help to accelerate and de-risk clinical trials. On the commercial front, patient data and insights could mean the difference between a category leader and a failure.

In Vivo's Deal-Making column is a survey of recent health care transactions listed by relevant industry segment – In Vitro Diagnostics, Medical Devices and Pharmaceuticals – and then categorized by type – Acquisition, Alliance, or Financing. This month’s column covers deals announced in June 2021. Data provided by Biomedtracker.

Only one of the six Olympic athletes promoting Lilly’s drugs actually took the product themselves or had a family member that did. Trulicity and Emgality TV ads include disclaimers while Verzenio commercial in memory of volleyball player April Ross’ mother does not.

VC Playbook: Pfizer Ventures senior managing partner Barbara Dalton shares insights into how the corporate venture group balances a dual mandate, the trade-offs needed and what success looks like for a CVC.

A report from Silicon Valley Bank breaking down 2021 investment trends reveals half-year figures already close to matching those for the whole of 2020 – itself a record-breaking year. In Vivo spoke with SVB’s EMEA head of life sciences and health care for a deeper dive into underlying causes.

Four $2bn+ alliances were penned in July. Topping the list was a potential $2.4bn deal between Arvinas and Pfizer under which the Big Pharma received worldwide co-exclusive rights to develop and commercialize products containing Arvinas’ ARV-471. ARV-471 is in a Phase II dose expansion clinical trial for the treatment of patients with estrogen receptor positive/human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 negative locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer. Preclinical and early clinical data for ARV-471 as a single agent and in combination with Ibrance was a key contributor in Pfizer’s decision to partner with Arvinas.

In Vivo's Deal-Making column is a survey of recent health care transactions listed by relevant industry segment – In Vitro Diagnostics, Medical Devices and Pharmaceuticals – and then categorized by type – Acquisition, Alliance, or Financing. This month’s column covers deals announced in June 2021. Data provided by Biomedtracker.

During Q2, biopharma merger and acquisition value reached $34.7bn and drew in $33bn in potential deal value from alliances. Device company M&A values reached $2bn, while in vitro diagnostic firms and research tools players completed M&A activity that totaled $4.4bn.

Shaped by Brexit, driven by COVID, squeezed by budgets and being engineered for the future, it seems that almost every element within UK health delivery and market access is undergoing change. How should the medtech industry prepare, and will there be implications beyond the UK?

Legal experts discuss the intricacies around pharma’s demand for indemnity, a key sticking point for supplies of COVID-19 vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna, and the path forward for countries like India.

For the second quarter of 2021, biopharmas brought in an aggregate $42.2bn in financing and device company fundraising totaled $3.1bn; while in vitro diagnostic firms and research tools players raised $5bn.