This episode of Odd Lots explores the rapid rise of China’s biotech sector, where Chinese firms now account for 31% of molecules licensed to big pharma, up from 0% in 2019. Stifel’s Tim Opler discusses how returning scientists, lower clinical trial costs, and broader shifts in the pharmaceutical industry have fueled this growth, while also touching on AI’s potential impact on drug discovery. Read the article here

Oncology dealmaking fell sharply in 2024, with total cancer-focused licensing and M&A activity dropping about 50% from 2023. The article includes data in part from DealForma, highlighting a shift toward broader tumor-type therapies and popular modalities like ADCs, radioligand therapies, and multi-specific antibodies. Read the article here

PharmaShots’ Top 20 Healthcare IPOs of 2024 report, backed by DealForma insights, highlights how healthcare companies raised significant capital—led by Galderma’s $2.54B IPO—underscoring key funding trends, strategic growth, and market impact across biopharma and healthcare services. Read it here

Using DealForma insights, PharmaShots highlights the Top 20 Life Sciences deals of 2024, led by Arrowhead–Sarepta’s $11.37B licensing agreement. Read it here

U.S. biopharma companies are increasingly licensing innovative drug candidates from Chinese firms, fueled by China’s biotech advancements, lower costs, and a surge in available assets, with DealForma data highlighting the trend. This growing shift is reshaping the global biopharma landscape, creating both opportunities for efficiency and concerns about the future of U.S. biotech startups. Read the article here

David Wainer at The Wall Street Journal reports on the recent trend of Chinese biotechs developing drugs faster and cheaper than their U.S. counterparts and global pharma sourcing close to 30% of their large deals from here. DealForma and Tim Opler at Stifel provided the data and context. Check out the article here.

Using DealForma insights, PharmaShots highlights the Top 20 Biopharma M&A deals of 2024, led by Vertex’s $4.9B acquisition of Alpine. Read it here

John Carroll presents the biopharma deals and funding numbers for 2024. Some charts are bullish — especially deal numbers and VC cash. DealForma is always happy to provide the data and charts for ample review of biopharma dealmaking going into the new year. Check out the article here.

Using DealForma insights, PharmaShots names Novo Nordisk Dealmaker of the Year 2024, highlighting 24 deals worth $33.94B led by the $16.5B Catalent acquisition. Read it here

Last week, the biotech market experienced extreme volatility, driven by sharp policy reversals on tariffs, aggressive trading behavior, and increasing concerns about the sector’s viability, though some signs point to potential recovery later in 2025. Data, in part from DealForma, highlights M&A activity by private equity firms alongside broader market trends. Read the article here

The J.P. Morgan biopharma and medtech reports are here for 2024 covering therapeutics and medtech licensing and funding to explore the movement in each sector, offering insight into industry and investment trends that defined the fourth quarter of 2024 and will shape the start of 2025. The reports, powered by DealForma, are available here.

Stifel’s Biopharmaceutical Outlook for 2025 and review of 2024 reveals the challenges for the biotech market as we start the year. DealForma data highlights the trends in licensing, M&A, and investment. Definitely an important weekly report from Tim Opler and team. Read the article here