Lifesciences industry posts 53 deals worth $5.8 bn in April 2019

Novartis’ acquisition of IFM Therapeutics contribute 27 per cent to the total deal value

In April 2019, the healthcare industry reported 53 deals worth $5.8 billion as compared to the last 12-month average (April 2018-March 2019) of 65 deals worth $26.8 billion. Novartis’ proposed acquisition of IFM Tre, a company focussing on developing anti-inflammatory medicines targeting the NLRP3 inflammasome, for a total consideration of $1.6 billion, was one of the major deals that contributed 27 per cent to the total deal value in April 2019. This transaction will enable Novartis to develop NLRP3 antagonist portfolio targeting innate immune system. The second notable deal in April 2019 included Catalent, a contract drug manufacturer, announcing to acquire Paragon Bioservices, a vector development and manufacturing partner for gene therapies, for $1.2 billion.

The healthcare industry reported 83 venture capital (VC) deals worth $1.4 billion in April 2019, compared to the last 12-month average (April 2018-March 2019) of 88 deals worth $1.9 billion. Poseida Therapeutics raising $142 million in series C financing; SpringWorks Therapeutics raising $125 million in series B financing; Talaris Therapeutics raising $100 million in series A financing; Vividion Therapeutics raising $82 million in series B financing are some major deals reported in April 2019.