Pharma & Biotech M&A in Early 2025: How Strategic Deals Are Shaping Innovation and Talent

Mergers and acquisitions (M&As) continue to reshape the pharmaceutical and biotechnology landscape, driving innovation, expanding portfolios, and influencing hiring trends. As companies seek to strengthen their pipelines and accelerate drug development, 2025 has already seen a wave of high-profile deals that could redefine the industry’s future. Let's take a closer look at some of the latest news in the industry!

After a relatively subdued 2024 - where companies prioritised smaller, strategic deals over large-scale acquisitions - major players are now aggressively pursuing M&As to secure their foothold in key therapeutic areas such as oncology, neuroscience, and cell therapy. 

This renewed confidence in M&As signals a long-term growth strategy, with companies leveraging acquisitions to access cutting-edge technologies, enhance their R&D capabilities, and stay ahead in an increasingly competitive market. As regulatory landscapes evolve and the race for breakthrough treatments intensifies, these deals will play a crucial role in shaping the future of biotech and pharma.

 

Key M&As Reshaping the Industry

Several high-profile deals are setting the tone for 2025, with leading pharmaceutical and biotech companies making strategic acquisitions to strengthen their pipelines and expand into high-growth therapeutic areas.

  • 2 January – Novo Holdings Completes £16.5 Billion Catalent Acquisition
    Novo Holdings kicked off the year with its £16.5 billion acquisition of contract development and manufacturing organisation (CDMO) Catalent. The deal, aimed at expanding production capabilities, allows Novo Nordisk (which operates under Novo Holdings) to scale up manufacturing for its blockbuster diabetes and weight-loss drugs, Ozempic and Wegovy. As part of the acquisition, Novo Holdings took control of three key fill-finish manufacturing sites in Anagni (Italy), Bloomington (USA), and Brussels (Belgium).

  • 10 February – Merck KGaA in Advanced Talks to Acquire SpringWorks Therapeutics
    Germany’s Merck KGaA confirmed that it is in advanced discussions to acquire US-based SpringWorks Therapeutics, a biotech firm specialising in oncology and rare disease treatments. Although a final agreement has yet to be reached, the deal could significantly bolster Merck’s oncology pipeline. Following the announcement, SpringWorks’ stock surged by 34%, increasing its market cap from £3 billion to over £4 billion. Shortly after, the company received FDA approval for Gomekli (mirdametinib), the first approved treatment for neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1), adding to its portfolio alongside desmoid tumour therapy Ogsiveo (nirogacestat).

  • 11 February – Novartis Acquires Anthos Therapeutics for up to £3.1 Billion
    Novartis announced its agreement to acquire Anthos Therapeutics from Blackstone Life Sciences in a deal valued at up to £3.1 billion. Anthos, which was originally established by Blackstone after licensing abelacimab from Novartis in 2019, focuses on developing treatments to prevent strokes and blood clots. The acquisition includes a £925 million upfront payment, with additional milestone-based payments. By bringing Anthos back into its portfolio, Novartis strengthens its late-stage cardiovascular pipeline, reinforcing its position in stroke prevention therapies.

  • 17 March – AstraZeneca to Acquire EsoBiotec for up to £1 Billion
    AstraZeneca announced a major move into the CAR-T space with its planned acquisition of Belgian biotech EsoBiotec for up to £1 billion. Specialising in in vivo CAR-T cell therapies, EsoBiotec has developed an approach that eliminates the need for traditional immune cell depletion and ex vivo genetic modification, allowing for a more streamlined IV-delivered cell therapy. The acquisition, which includes a £425 million upfront payment and milestone-based incentives, strengthens AstraZeneca’s investment in next-generation cancer treatments, following its earlier purchase of China-based Gracell Biotechnologies.

 

What This Means for Hiring and Talent in Life Sciences

These M&As don’t just reshape drug portfolios - they also accelerate the job market in biotech and pharma. With major acquisitions come talent shifts, restructuring, and fresh hiring needs. Companies absorbing new pipelines will require specialists in regulatory affairs, clinical research, and biomanufacturing, while layoffs in redundant areas may see talent re-entering the job market.

Recruiters and industry professionals should keep an eye on these trends to anticipate demand for key roles, particularly in oncology, metabolic diseases, and neuroscience, where innovation is rapidly progressing.

Want to discuss how these changes could impact your hiring strategy? Let’s connect.

 

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