Pharma deals in an era of heightened competition: 6 recent drugmaker transactions, partnerships

As disruptors continue to push into the healthcare arena and pressure accumulates to reduce drug prices, pharmaceutical companies are taking steps to remain competitive and enhance their drug pipelines.

2017 marked a slow year of mergers and acquisitions in the pharmaceutical industry. However, experts from some of the largest drug manufacturers are expecting the pace of deals in 2018 to significantly accelerate as a result of the tax overhaul. So far, they have been right. In the first quarter of 2018, the volume of pharmaceutical takeovers rose to a record-setting level, according to Bloomberg, and this trend shows no signs of slowing.

In the last two months, the following drugmakers announced or completed mergers, acquisitions, partnerships and general transactions.

Note: This is not an exhaustive list. Deals were reported by Becker's Hospital Review and are presented in the order they were reported.

1. Eli Lilly buys $100M stake in gene-silencing drug firm
Eli Lilly & Co. is the latest drugmaker to bet on gene-silencing technology, spending $100 million for a stake in Dicerna Pharmaceuticals.

2. Novartis, Pfizer team partner to fight fatty liver disease
After working on separate medications for years, pharma giants Novartis AG and Pfizer will collaborate to develop combination treatments for a liver disease. Experts predict a highly lucrative market for such treatments.

3. AstraZeneca bolsters cancer drug pipeline with $170M Innate Pharma deal
AstraZeneca has struck a $170 million deal with Innate Pharma that will bolster its cancer drug pipeline as the London-based drug giant pivots toward a future in oncology.

4. Novartis strikes $2.1B deal to buy cancer drugmaker Endocyte
In a deal valued at $2.1 billion, Swiss pharma giant Novartis AG will purchase Endocyte, a U.S.-based biopharmaceutical company developing new treatments for prostate cancer.

5. Walgreens to buy pharmacy patient files from Fred's for $165M
Walgreens will purchase pharmacy patient prescription files and related inventory from 185 Fred's Pharmacy stores for $165 million, plus an amount equal to the value of related pharmacy inventory.

6. Novartis to sell off part of generics business for $1B
Swiss pharma giant Novartis will sell part of its generic drug business, Sandoz, in a deal valued at $1 billion.

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