Life sciences mergers and acquisitions (M&A) activity totaled $159 billion in 2020, down from $306 billion in 2019, reaching one of the lowest levels since 2014, according to the 2021 EY M&A Firepower report

Global health innovation leader W2O announced the acquisitions of tech-enabled companies Swoop and IPM.ai, further accelerating what is expected to be the company’s 20th consecutive year of double-digit revenue growth.

France’s Servier bolstered its presence in oncology with the acquisition of the clinical and research-stage oncology business of Agios Pharmaceuticals in a deal worth up to $2 billion.

Novartis is acquiring Cambridge, Massachusetts-based neuroscience company Cadent Therapeutics for a $210 million upfront payment and potentially $560 million in milestone payments.

Shares of Prevail Therapeutics skyrocketed in trading after Eli Lilly announced the acquisition of the gene therapy company in a deal valued at $1.04 billion.

Pascal Soriot

AstraZeneca is acquiring Alexion Pharmaceuticals for $39 billion, with the deal expected to close in the third quarter of 2021.

AstraZeneca

AstraZeneca entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Alexion Pharmaceuticals for a total consideration to Alexion shareholders of $39 billion or $175 per share.

Gilead Sciences Inc. bolstered the company’s capabilities in treating liver diseases with a €1.15 billion ($1.4 billion) cash acquisition of Germany-based Myr GmbH, which is focused on developing therapies for the treatment of chronic hepatitis delta virus (HDV), the most severe form of viral hepatitis.

Boehringer Ingelheim is paying 1.18 billion euros ($1.5 billion) for Swiss-based NBE Therapeutics as the German drugmaker is adding pipeline candidates including a drug in early trials against triple-negative breast cancer and lung cancer.

European life sciences venture capital firm Forbion announced a fifth fund of €460 million ($545 million) to invest in life sciences companies.