Despite 2022 being a relatively quiet year for M&A activity within the biopharma space, especially when compared to 2021, a number of prominent deals have taken place. Find out the 8 largest M&A deals of the year so far in order of the total amount.
8. Zogenix
Acquired by: UCB
Amount: USD 1.9bn
After Zogenix’s epilepsy drug – Fintepla – saw FDA approval in June 2020, many companies had set their sights on the California-based biopharma. Beating off two other competitors, UCB reached a deal for USD 26.00 per share. This allows UCB, who have four existing epilepsy drugs on the market, to further expand both their epilepsy pipeline and their reach within the US market.
7. Sierra Oncology
Acquired by: GSK
Amount: USD 1.9bn
What started as a partnership discussion for commercializing their momelotinib drug eventually culminated in GSK purchasing the late-stage biopharma for USD 1.9bn. The drug was initially developed by Cytopia and then YM Biosciences, who were ultimately acquired by Gilead. Poor trial results led to Gilead handing the rights over to Sierra for just USD 3m upfront.
6. Affinivax
Acquired by: GSK
Amount: USD 3.3bn
Just six weeks after agreeing to acquire Sierra, GSK entered a deal to purchase Affinivax in a bid to expand their share of the pneumococcal vaccine market. The agreement consisted of USD 2.1 billion upfront on top of two USD 600m milestone payments connected to pediatric clinical development. The company’s candidate, AFX3772, serves as a competitor to Pfizer’s Prevnar 13 and Merck’s Pneumovax 23.
5. Viatris
Acquired by: Biocon Biologics
Amount: USD 3.34bn
Just months after gaining approval from the FDA for the first interchangeable insulin biosimilar, Viatris announced in February that they were selling their biosimilar division to Biocon Biologics for USD 3.34bn. The deal further develops Biocon’s 20 existing biosimilar programs – 11 of which were partnered with Viatris.
4. ChemoCentryx
Acquired by: Amgen
Amount: USD 3.7bn
Seeking to expand their inflammation portfolio, Amgen announced an agreement in August to purchase ChemoCentryx – a biopharma that mainly focuses on orally administered therapeutics to combat autoimmune diseases, inflammatory disorders and cancer. Their lead product Tavneos, used to treat ANCA-associated vasculitis, was approved by the FDA in October 2021 and subsequently by the EU in January 2022.
3. Turning Point Therapeutics
Acquired by: Bristol Myers Squibb
Amount: USD 4.1bn
After approval by both boards in June, the clinical-stage precision oncology company were bought by Bristol Myers Squibb for USD 76.00 per share, amounting to a deal worth USD 4.1bn. The takeover was completed in August with Turning Point delisted from the NASDAQ and becoming a wholly-owned subsidiary.
2. Global Blood Therapeutics
Acquired by: Pfizer
Amount: USD 5.4bn
Amidst an initial competition of five potential acquirers, Pfizer emerged victorious in reaching a deal to buy the sickle cell disease specialist for USD 68.50 per share – totaling to a value of USD 5.4bn and a 102% premium on Global Blood Therapeutics’ share price. As a result of this acquisition, Pfizer now have authority over their hemolytic anemia drug, Oxbryta, as well as other late-stage candidates to combat sickle cell disease.
1. Biohaven Pharmaceuticals
Acquired by: Pfizer
Amount: USD 11.6bn
Taking advantage of its additional revenue from their COVID-19 assets, Pfizer and Biohaven announced in May that both sides had come to an agreement for an acquisition where Biohaven, a creator of migraine therapies, was to be purchased for a total amount of USD 11.6bn. The deal comes on the back of both companies previously announcing a commercialization collaboration in November 2021 to target Biohaven’s lead asset, NurtecODT, outside of the US.