Latest Deals

J&J has begun construction of a biologics site in North Carolina, US. Credit: Cristina Arias / Getty Images

Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine (J&J) is significantly expanding its US footprint with a $55bn investment over the next four years, as the focus on domestic manufacturing in the US grows. As part of this initiative, the company has begun construction on a $2bn biologics production site in Wilson, North Carolina, expected to create 500 jobs and generate a $3bn economic impact within its first decade.

Zealand Pharma has named Roche as a development and commercialisation partner for its lead obesity candidate petrelintide, after a seven-month search. Under the deal, Zealand will receive an upfront payment of $1.65bn, with the potential for milestone payments bringing the total deal value to $5.3bn, depending on Phase III trials and commercial performance.

AstraZeneca has announced a $2.5bn investment in the company’s sixth worldwide strategic research and development (R&D) centre in Beijing, China. The initiative, which will take place up to 2029, is part of a strategic collaboration with the Beijing municipal government and the Beijing Economic-Technological Development Area Administrative Office.

Sanofi is continuing its immunology pipeline push with an agreement to acquire Dren Bio’s bispecific antibody DR-0201 in a deal whose value could rise to $1.9bn. The deal for the clinical asset will be made through Sanofi’s acquisition of Dren Bio affiliate Dren-0201. The French company will pay $600m upfront, with milestone payments of $1.3bn.