The week in pharma: action, reaction and insight – week to December 8, 2023

M&A featured strongly in the news last week. First, Swiss pharma giant Roche last Monday announced it is entering the weight-loss treatment market with a proposed $2.7 billion acquisition of USA-based Carmot Therapeutics. Also, US pharma major AbbVie announced an $8.7 billion takeover bid for USA-based Cerevel, aiming to expand its neurosciences portfolio. On the regulatory front, US pharma major Eli Lilly gained a second indication approval from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for Jaypirca, this time for chronic lymphocytic leukemia or small lymphocytic lymphoma (CLL/SLL). Also, US healthcare giant Johnson & Johnson last week announced a wide-ranging review of its business, as one of its top selling drugs, Stelara, is reaching its sunset.

Roche makes obesity play with $2.7 billion deal to buy Carmot

Thrusting the company into the increasingly competitive market for incretin-based therapies for diabetes and obesity , Roche has agreed to pay $2.7 billion upfront in cash when the deal closes, with shareholders in the US company also in line for up to $400 million if the drug programs covered by the agreement meet various milestones, commented Phil Taylor writing on Pharmaphorum.