Pharmas’ strategies on M&As and licensing: What room for early-stage deals?

Large pharmaceutical companies are constantly working on strategic shifts, balancing in-house innovation with external collaborations to maintain a competitive drug development pipeline while minimising risks. The data suggests that, in 2024, in-licensing conducted by Big Pharma moved to earlier-stage assets. Where do these assets fit into the equation a year later? Is there a framework of deals that pharma companies are prioritising? How can biotech and academia position themselves to secure meaningful partnerships? This session will explore how pharma approaches M&As, licensing deals, and the integration of early-stage projects into their pipelines.