SEPTEMBER , 2023 | THE HEALTH

During second-quarter earnings calls , major players like Johnson & Johnson , Bristol Myers Squibb , and Merck expressed a sense of urgency in pursuing deals . This heightened competition among buyers is driving up the attractiveness of offers for sellers .

For instance , Merck ’ s US $ 10.8 billion proposal to acquire Prometheus in April represented a 75 per cent premium , while Biogen ’ s US $ 7.3 billion deal for Reata in July had a 59 per cent markup , according to news portal Fierce Pharma .

Cody Powers , Principal at ZS , noted : “ There ’ s been such a consistent pick-up in momentum in anything above a billion dollars . I think we ’ re back on the gravy train of where we were a couple of years ago in terms of premiums .”

In 2019 , the biopharma industry witnessed record-breaking deal values , with Bristol Myers Squibb acquiring Celgene for US $ 74 billion and AbbVie acquiring Allergan for US $ 63 billion . That year , the industry ’ s top 10 acquisitions totalled over US $ 200 billion . However , the Covid-19 pandemic led to a significant decline , with deal values plummeting to US $ 53 billion by 2021 .

“ The pandemic had a chilling effect ,” Powers explained .“ You couldn ’ t walk the shop floor ; you couldn ’ t walk

NOVARTIS SHAREHOLDERS have given their resounding approval for the spin-off of the company ’ s generic drugs arm , Sandoz , with an overwhelming 99.7 per cent of represented capital supporting the separation .

Sandoz CEO Richard Saynor has laid out an ambitious vision for the new company , poised to debut on the market on Oct 4th . Saynor aims to bolster Sandoz ’ s appeal to investors by expanding its portfolio , with plans to introduce at least five additional biologic drugs in the long term .

This strategic move is part of a broader effort to strengthen Sandoz ’ s position in the pharmaceutical market , particularly in the biosimilar sector . Biosimilars are more affordable versions of biologic drugs that have gone off-patent , typically made from modified living cells . manufacturing facilities . [ It was ] just very hard to pull off mega-deals in that context .”

The cautious approach persisted in 2022 , with limited high-dollar M & A activity until December , when Amgen proposed its US $ 27.8 billion acquisition of Horizon , bringing the annual total to US $ 65 billion . In the first eight months of 2023 , the top 10 deals have already reached a combined value of US $ 81 billion .

Another factor driving M & A activity is the recent trend of divestitures by major pharmaceutical companies . Jennifer O ’ Brien , an analyst at West Monroe , noted that these companies are freeing up capital and redirecting investments into their core focus areas to foster growth .

Pharmaceutical companies such as Merck , GSK , and Novartis have divested their consumer groups in recent years , each actively participating in this year ’ s M & A market . In April , Merck acquired Prometheus for US $ 10.8 billion , while

Saynor has set his sights on enhancing Sandoz ’ s development pipeline , which currently consists of 25 biosimilars . He emphasised the significant progress made since his arrival in 2019 , when fewer than eight biologics were in development . His aim is to surpass 30 biologics in the pipeline , highlighting a commitment to growth and competition in the biosimilar market .

Sandoz is the world ’ s second-largest producer of biosimilars , trailing behind Pfizer . Saynor , however , is not content with this ranking and has set an ambitious goal to dethrone the US pharmaceutical giant .

Pfizer , known for its focus on developing new drugs rather than copying others , currently holds the top spot in the biosimilar market . Saynor ’ s determination to challenge Pfizer ’ s

A RECENT study conducted by the US National Institutes of Health ( NIH ) revealed a significant breakthrough in diagnosing Polycystic Ovary Syndrome ( PCOS ), the most common hormone disorder among women aged 15 to 45 . The study demonstrates that artificial intelligence ( AI ) and machine learning ( ML ) are highly effective tools for accurately identifying and diagnosing

PCOS , offering a promising solution to the challenges of underdiagnosis and misdiagnosis that have plagued this disorder .

PCOS is characterised by ovarian dysfunction and often elevated testosterone levels , leading to a range of distressing symptoms , including irregular periods , acne , excess facial hair , and hair loss . Beyond these

GSK paid US $ 2 billion for Bellus . Two months later , Novartis acquired Chinook for US $ 3.2 billion .

Johnson & Johnson ( J & J ) is also in a favourable position to pursue M & A after spinning off its consumer health unit , Kenvue . The company gained an additional US $ 13.2 billion in potential M & A funding from its initial public offering in August .

With interest rates exceeding seven per cent , Powers emphasised the importance of having available funding for companies seeking deals . He cited Takeda ’ s US $ 62 billion acquisition of Shire in 2018 , during which the Japanese company secured a US $ 31 billion bridge loan at around four per cent . Today , the costs for a similar deal would essentially double or more due to higher interest rates .

The resurgence of biopharma M & A and the pursuit of premium deals signify an industry rebound and a renewed appetite for strategic acquisitions .

dominance reflects his commitment to expanding Sandoz ’ s influence in the pharmaceutical industry , particularly in the biosimilar sector .

The substantial endorsement garnered from Novartis shareholders regarding the spin-off of Sandoz , coupled with the ambitious strategic initiatives elucidated by CEO Richard Saynor , signify a consequential phase of corporate advancement . This development is characterised by Sandoz ’ s determined pursuit of portfolio expansion within the biosimilar domain and its intention to engage in competition with esteemed industry incumbents , exemplified by Pfizer .

symptoms , PCOS increases the risk of developing serious health complications , including Type 2 diabetes , cardiovascular issues , and reproductive disorders such as infertility and uterine cancer . The disorder ’ s complexity and the overlap of its symptoms with other conditions have made accurate diagnosis a challenging endeavour .

THE MISSING Billion Initiative , joined by key partners such as the McKinsey Health Institute ( MHI ), the Clinton Health Access Initiative ( CHAI ), the International Disability Alliance , and the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine , has unveiled a critical Commitment to Action at the 2023 Clinton Global Initiative ( CGI ) Meeting in New York .

This two-year commitment aims to close the staggering 10- to 20-year life expectancy gap faced by people with disabilities compared to those without . The strategy involves transforming national healthcare systems to ensure individuals with disabilities have unhindered access to essential healthcare services , spanning prenatal check-ups , eye exams , and urgent medical care .

To achieve this , the partners will collaborate with global , national , and local stakeholders to design inclusive healthcare systems as models for at least six countries . These models will not only attract donor support but also build empirical evidence to guide policies and actions for better disability inclusion in healthcare .

This commitment follows a recent report by the Missing Billion Initiative and MHI titled “ The missing billion : Lack of disability data impedes healthcare equity .” The report highlights substantial data gaps for the 16 per cent of the global population living with disabilities . These gaps hinder healthcare professionals , policymakers , and stakeholders from understanding the experiences of people with disabilities and achieving global health equity goals .

The report provides actionable recommendations to address data deficiencies , including improving data collection and utilisation through strengthening emergency health records , registries , and leveraging national censuses and surveys .

Ahmed Osman , an associate partner and the McKinsey Health Institute Geographical Leader , stressed the need for collaboration across healthcare organisations , governments , donors , and implementing organisations to advance health equity .

Phyllis Heydt , co-founder of the Missing Billion Initiative , emphasised data ’ s importance in understanding healthcare challenges faced by people with disabilities , asserting that clarity is essential for meaningful action .