Biopharma buyouts still pricey

The huge sums of money flowing into drug development, and the resulting surge in valuations, has meant only one thing for industry buyers: soaring price tags.

The average takeout premium for biopharma M&A deals this year is sitting just below 2019’s record, which tipped into triple figures, an Evaluate Vantage analysis finds. The uncertainties wrought by a global pandemic have seemingly failed to transfer any power back to acquirers, and those with desirable assets look set to remain in a very strong position.