Biopharmaceutical mergers and acquisitions are expected to have a prosperous year in 2021.

So far this year, the acquisition frenzy among large pharmaceutical companies has been stronger than in previous years, and the global biopharmaceutical industry is expected to have a bountiful year in mergers and acquisitions in 2026. Data from research firm Dealogic shows that the total value of mergers and acquisitions in the global biotechnology sector in the first quarter has reached $84 billion, almost doubling from $44 billion a year ago. This is the strongest first quarter performance since the record high of global mergers and acquisitions in 2019. In the first quarter of this year, companies like Lilly, Gilead Sciences, and Merck & Co. topped the list in terms of acquisition spending. Lilly completed 7 deals, including a $7.8 billion acquisition of sleep drug company Centessa and a $2.4 billion acquisition of cell therapy company Orna Therapeutics, making it the largest acquirer in the first quarter. Gilead Sciences and Merck & Co. ranked second and third, respectively. Gilead Sciences announced two acquisitions in the first quarter, totaling $7.8 billion to acquire Arcellx and $2.2 billion to acquire Ouro Medicines; Merck & Co. also announced two acquisitions, including a $6.7 billion acquisition of Terns Pharmaceuticals.