This year, life sciences mergers and acquisitions (M&A) played a crucial role in driving innovation and supporting America’s global leadership in the life sciences. As the leading advocacy coalition on life sciences M&A, PULSE educated stakeholders and policymakers throughout the year on this important pillar of the U.S. life sciences ecosystem.
Key commentaries and updates from 2025 are below:
Showcasing the Link Between Life Sciences M&A and New and Novel Drug Launches
A recent study, published by experts at Cornerstone Research in Concurrences Law and Economics, found a significant association between biopharmaceutical mergers and acquisitions (M&A) and the likelihood of new and novel therapies coming to market. Analyzing over 33,000 drug projects from the past three decades, the study found that:
- Drug projects that undergo M&A are nearly 2x more likely to launch than non-acquired ones, and over 3x more likely to launch as novel drugs filling an unmet medical need or representing a substantial improvement over an existing therapy.
- Drugs that undergo M&A between a less experienced firm and a firm with previous experience launching a drug are nearly 3x more likely to launch and are also:
- 5x more likely to launch as novel drugs
- Nearly 24x more likely to launch with a new mechanism of action.
Read PULSE’s summary and analysis of the research paper here:
- New Study Finds that Biopharmaceutical M&A Drives Innovation Through New and Novel Drug Launches
- M&A Powers Innovation to Fill Unmet Medical Needs
Championing Policies to Reduce Barriers for Pro-Innovation Life Sciences M&A
As policymakers weighed important shifts in life sciences M&A enforcement, PULSE raised awareness of the vital role these partnerships play. PULSE submitted comments to the Department of Justice and Office of Management and Budget this spring and shared evidence and perspectives through regular PULSE blogs and emails. Read more below:
- Pro-Competitive Partnerships: The Engine of U.S. Life Sciences Innovations
- General Catalyst: Pro-Competitive Partnerships Drive “Steady Drumbeat of Innovation” in the Life Sciences
- Legal Experts Signal Continued Uncertainty for Life Sciences M&A
- NYU Law Review: Antitrust Overreach Risks Chilling Investment in Early-Stage Innovations
Spotlighting Examples of Life Sciences “Innovations Advanced by M&A”
PULSE continued to illustrate real-world examples of treatments and cures made possible through a merger or acquisition across diseases and therapeutic areas. A couple recent examples from PULSE’s “Innovations Advanced by M&A” content series are here:
- A Novel Treatment for Anemia for Patients with Myelofibrosis
- A New Targeted Therapy for Ulcerative Colitis
Partnering with Local Voices to Highlight M&A’s Real-World Impact
PULSE’s nearly 40 state and local partners maintained a front-row view of the critical role that life sciences M&A plays in supporting competition, innovation and growth in communities across the country. Check out the recent perspectives from PULSE’s partners below:
- Indiana Life Sciences: How Collaboration Fuels Innovation and Patient Impact
- BioUtah: To support biopharmaceutical breakthroughs in Utah, it’s time to revisit federal merger policies (originally published in Deseret News)
To learn more about PULSE, please visit our website at www.pulseforinnovation.org.