Largest acquisitions in the biotech industry in 2025

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Here's a concise blog post about the largest acquisitions in the biotech industry in 2025, highlighting the buyers, acquired companies, rationales behind the deals, and financial details when available.

 1. Johnson & Johnson Acquires Intra-Cellular Therapies

- Purchase Price: $14.6 billion

- Rationale: This acquisition is aimed at strengthening Johnson & Johnson's leadership in neuroscience, particularly by adding innovative treatments for schizophrenia and bipolar depression to their portfolio.

 2. AstraZeneca Acquires Amolyt Pharma

- Financial Details: AstraZeneca acquired Amolyt Pharma for up to $1.05 billion, including an $800 million upfront payment with additional contingent payments.

- Rationale: The acquisition aims to expand AstraZeneca's offerings in rare endocrine diseases, enhancing their research and development capabilities in this niche.

 3. Novo Nordisk Acquires Akero Therapeutics

- Purchase Price: Up to $5.2 billion

- Rationale: Novo Nordisk's acquisition aims to diversify beyond its existing portfolio by strengthening their position in treatments for metabolic disorders, particularly by acquiring a promising therapy for liver diseases.

 4. Merck KGaA Acquires SpringWorks Therapeutics

- Financial Details: $3.9 billion

- Rationale: Merck's rationale behind this acquisition is to bolster their portfolio with SpringWorks’ two FDA-approved therapies, thereby enhancing their focus on rare tumor treatments.

 5. Novartis Acquires Regulus Therapeutics

- Purchase Price: $1.8 billion

- Rationale: Novartis aims to expand its capabilities in renal disease treatments by acquiring Regulus, which specializes in utilizing oligonucleotides for these conditions.

These acquisitions reflect strategic moves by leading pharmaceutical companies to strengthen their positions in key therapeutic areas, accelerate growth, and expand their scientific moats in a highly competitive market.

This text relates to my new book “Automation of Mergers and Acquisitions“.