DEALS ANALYSIS

Deals activity: Equity offerings on the rise; YoY deals volume drops globally 

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Deals activity by geography

Pharma industry deals, as captured by GlobalData’s Pharmaceuticals Intelligence Centre, are down year-on-year (YoY) across all regions.

North America is leading in terms of deal value, but recorded the lowest YoY decline in deals volume at -2.90%. South and Central America, ranking last in terms of deal value, has seen notable YoY change, with deal volumes decreasing by 34.09%.

The volume of deals recorded by GlobalData also decreased YoY in Asia-Pacific (43.77%), Europe (33.13%) and Middle East and Africa (43.24%).

Deals activity by type

Deal typeTotal deal value (US$m)Total deal countYoY change (volume) 
Partnership474,56918,3184.85
Venture Financing243,58518,625126.15
Contract Service Agreement1,86019,034978.94
Equity Offering943,77316,695186.12
Licensing Agreement792,02513,77464.63
Grant298,9961,032,55641.42
Acquisition3,716,90210,94216.08
Debt Offering1,776,2627,90512.28
Asset Transaction433,7586,113-44.82
Private Equity510,7072,58741.55
Merger193,5947033152.15

A breakdown of deals by type and volume shows a 3152.15% growth in mergers YoY, while acquisitions are up 16.08%, partnerships grew with 4.85% change YoY and asset transactions are down -44.82%. Financing deals have increased across some types, with venture financing up 126.15% YoY, equity offerings up 186.12% and debt offerings up 12.28%.

Private equity has seen 41.55% growth in number of deals YoY, while the number of grants recorded is up 41.42%. The number of contract service agreements recorded by GlobalData is up 978.94% YoY.

Deals activity by therapy area

The most notable development apparent in GlobalData’s analysis of pharma industry deals by therapy area is the increase of deals in the field of oncology. After remaining relatively steady over the past ten years, the number of recorded deals in oncology increased significantly in 2020.

Note: All numbers as of 19 April 2021. Deals captured by GlobalData cover M&As, strategic alliances, various types of financing and contract service agreements.

For more insight and data, visit GlobalData's Pharmaceuticals Intelligence Centre.

Latest deals in brief

AstraZeneca gets US clearance for proposed Alexion acquisition

The US Federal Trade Commission has granted clearance to AstraZeneca for its proposed acquisition of Alexion Pharmaceuticals for approximately $39bn or $175 a share.

Thermo Fisher to acquire clinical research company PPD for $17.4bn

Thermo Fisher Scientific has announced a definitive agreement to acquire clinical research organisation PPD for $47.50 per share for a total consideration of $17.4bn in cash. The company also agreed to assume PPD’s net debt of approximately $3.5bn.

Tango Therapeutics to go public with $353m merger deal

Tango Therapeutics is set to go public with the signing of a definitive merger agreement with the Boxer Capital-sponsored special purpose acquisition company BCTG Acquisition worth up to a total of approximately $353m.

Sanofi and C4X Discovery enter licensing deal worth up to €414m

Sanofi and drug discovery company C4X Discovery (C4XD) have entered an exclusive worldwide licensing agreement worth up to €414m for C4XD’s oral pre-clinical IL-17A inhibitor programme. The deal will see Manchester University spinout C4XD receive an upfront payment of €7m, and up to a further €407m in potential development, regulatory, and commercialisation milestones, of which €11m is in pre-clinical milestones.

Sanofi acquires biotech company Tidal Therapeutics for $470m

Sanofi has acquired biotech company Tidal Therapeutics to add an advanced mRNA-based research platform with applications in various disease areas to its portfolio in a deal totalling approximately $470m. According to the transaction, Tidal Therapeutics will get an upfront payment of $160m and is eligible for up to $310m on achieving certain milestones.

Biogen and Bio-Thera enter licencing agreement for arthritis biosimilar

Biogen and Bio-Thera Solutions have entered an agreement to develop, manufacture and commercialise the anti-interleukin-6 (IL-6) receptor monoclonal antibody BAT1806.