The Pharma Letter M&A roundup - March 2023

The long-rumored acquisition of US biotech Seagen was finally announced in March, albeit it was not long-time suitor Merck & Co (NYSE: MRK) behind the deal, but rather fellow US pharma giant Pfizer (NYSE: PFE).

With a value of $43 billion, the acquisition is likely to the biggest buy of the year and looks a good use of some of Pfizer's profits from selling COVID-19 vaccines and therapeutics over the past few years.

French drugmaker Sanofi (Euronext: SAN) also announced a multi-billion dollar transaction during March, with its $2.9 billion buy of Provention Bio, as did German life science group Sartorius (SRT: ETR), which is forking out $2.6 billion to acquire France-based Polyplus.