Deal-Making Trends

During Q2, biopharmas brought in an aggregate $22.8bn in financing and device company fundraising totaled $2.7bn; while in vitro diagnostic firms and research tools players raised $1.2m.

An analysis of new ADCs in Phase III studies shows the difficulties, and possible rewards, of developing these drugs. The earlier stage pipeline boasts a range of mechanistic approaches. 

An interactive look at pharma, medtech and diagnostics deals made during June 2024. Data courtesy of Biomedtracker.

Ali Pashazadeh, CEO, chair and founder of Treehill Partners discusses the need for increased communication between biotech and biopharma. 

Four $1bn+ alliances were penned in June. In the top alliance by deal value, Ascidian Therapeutics signed an agreement with Roche for the discovery and development of RNA exon editing therapeutics targeting neurological diseases. Roche received exclusive rights to Ascidian's RNA exon editing technology for undisclosed targets. Ascidian will conduct discovery and certain preclinical activities in collaboration with Roche, which will be responsible for certain preclinical activities, and further clinical development, manufacturing, and commercialization. Ascidian will receive an up-front payment of $42m as well as up to $1.8bn in research, clinical, and commercial milestone payments, as well as sales royalties.

Biopharmaceutical venture capital fundraising is on the rise in 2024. In late June, Formation Bio secured a mega financing, raising $372m via a series D round led by a16z and Sanofi. 

Dominated by Xaira Therapeutics' $1bn venture financing, Q2 2024 was also notable for sizeable public offerings by Alumis and Recursion Therapeutics in the US and XtalPi Technology in Hong Kong, as well as a $142m seed round for EvolutionaryScale.   

Increased R&D spending, program acquisitions and a soaring headcount – Regeneron has seen significant growth over the past 5 years. The company is focused on marrying its antibody technologies with its expanding cell and gene therapy pipeline. 

Poland is slowly expanding beyond its position as a central European generics hub. More established companies are adding innovative medicine pipelines and a small number of biotechs are making international deals.

At the 2024 BIO International Convention, In Vivo spoke with Secarna Pharmaceuticals' CEO Alexander Gebauer about how the biotech's next-gen antisense oligonucleotide technology aims to benefit patients across multiple indications. 

“I'm a strong believer in creating the right mix between young ambitious people and pairing them up with someone experienced,” says Jeroen Bakker, who is focused on biotech company creation at Seed Investments, Novo Holdings.  

Six $1bn+ alliances were penned in May. In the top alliance by deal value, AC Immune SA granted Takeda an option to license exclusive global rights to active immunotherapies targeting toxic forms of amyloid beta, including ACI-24.060 for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease. AC Immune will receive $100m up front and is eligible to receive an option exercise fee and additional potential development, commercial and sales-based milestones of up to approximately $2.1bn, plus sales royalties.