How Cognitive Bias Undermines Value Creation In Life Sciences M&A

Life sciences mergers and acquisitions are typically based on perceived future value rather than objective financial parameters, but the cognitive biases inherent in subjective assessments can derail deals. Executives need to take emotion out of the equation and rely on relevant data to craft successful transactions.

cognitive bias 1200

Merger and acquisition transactions play a central role in the life sciences sector and are the catalyst for growth and transformation, driving innovation from the laboratory all the way to the patient. As I discussed in my August 2016 article, "Where the Bodies Lie" (Nature Biotechnology, 34, 909–911), life sciences companies often fall victim to recurring misconceptions that lead to unnecessary failure.

These failures often hinge upon management’s misunderstanding of the fundamentals of market and transactional dynamics. In particular, cognitive biases play...

Welcome to In Vivo

Create an account to read this article

More from Growth

Can Italy Shake Off Its Reputation And Become A Premier Hub For Biotech?

 
• By 

Leading industry experts have spoken to In Vivo about how investment, a change in mindset and a fresh approach to policy may allow Italy to kick-start its biotech ecosystem.

Rising Leaders 2025: Abbas Kazimi’s Vision For Nimbus Therapeutics

 
• By 

Rising Leader Abbas Kazimi's leadership at Nimbus Therapeutics combines immigrant resilience, patient-first partnerships, contrarian strategic bets and a deeply personal mission driving breakthrough drug discovery innovation.

Deals In Depth: June 2025

 
• By 

Five $1bn+ alliances were penned in June, and four exceeded $2bn.

Global Pharma Interest In Korea Undeterred Despite Political Roller Coaster

 
• By 

Despite recent political turmoil, outside investor and corporate interest in South Korean biopharma innovation appears robust or even increasing.

More from In Vivo

Deals In Depth: June 2025

 
• By 

Five $1bn+ alliances were penned in June, and four exceeded $2bn.

Global Pharma Interest In Korea Undeterred Despite Political Roller Coaster

 
• By 

Despite recent political turmoil, outside investor and corporate interest in South Korean biopharma innovation appears robust or even increasing.

Podcast: Oxolife’s Agnés Arbat, Winner Of The European Prize For Women Innovators

 
• By 

Agnès Arbat, CEO of Oxolife and winner of the EU Women Innovators Prize, joins In Vivo to discuss OXO-001, a novel non-hormonal treatment aimed at improving embryo implantation in IVF. She shares insights from her biotech journey and the future of fertility innovation.