Behind the Headlines Episode 24: Surging Implementation of Sequence Event Reporting in CMC Analytics, Billion Dollar Deals Push Further Consolidation or Collapse, and an Analytics Wish List

Behind the Headlines is a bi-weekly panel discussion examining the latest trends, readouts, and other factors that drive pharmaceutical news and innovation. Each episode features consultants, venture capitalists, scientists, patient advocates, and journalists discussing the prior weeks’ top news while seeking to highlight the more enduring lessons that hide behind the headlines.

In episode 24, Aaron B. Cowley, PhD, CSO, Recipharm Advanced Bio; Renee A. Hart, president and CBO, LumaCyte; and Vibha Jawa, PhD, FAAPS, CSO, EpiVax, look at the recent round of Mega-Deals, in part driven by Big Pharma patent cliffs, but also a need to cover-every-technology-and-expertise-base for complex manufacturing of advanced therapy medicinal products.

In this current spate of M&A activity, the panel examines AbbVie’s acquisition of Gilgamesh Pharmaceuticals’ investigational therapy, Bretisilocin, for $1.2 billion (1); Enlaza Therapeutics’ collaboration with Vertex Pharmaceuticals for the development of war-lock drug conjugates and T-cell engagers (worth up to $2 billion) (2); and Argo BioPharma’s agreement with Novartis (a combined potential value of up to $5.2 billion), for “long-acting siRNAs which are designed to deeply and durably target disease-causing proteins represent an important paradigm shift in prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases” (3).

Because of its more direct impact on pharmaceutical chemistry, manufacturing, and controls and process analytical technology, the panel spent significant time to understanding the reasons the Waters-Becton Dickinson Mega Deal, valued around $17.5 Billion (4). On balance, it was thought the recurring revenue and regulatory knowledge in precision medicine and diagnostics afforded by Becton Dickson was the largest attraction for Waters to move ahead on this deal.

The panel rounds out the discussion asking what are the bright new technologies arriving, and what we’d wish for in our Christmas stockings come December.

References

1. AbbVie. AbbVie to Acquire Gilgamesh Pharmaceuticals' Bretisilocin, a Novel, Investigational Therapy for Major Depressive Disorder, Expanding Psychiatry Pipeline. Press Release. Aug. 25, 2025 https://news.abbvie.com/2025-08-25-AbbVie-to-Acquire-Gilgamesh-Pharmaceuticals-Bretisilocin,-a-Novel,-Investigational-Therapy-for-Major-Depressive-Disorder,-Expanding-Psychiatry-Pipeline
2. Enlaza Therapeutics. Enlaza Therapeutics Announces Strategic Collaboration with Vertex Pharmaceuticals to Develop War-Lock Drug Conjugates and T-Cell Engagers for Improved Conditioning and Certain Autoimmune Diseases. Press Release. Sept. 2, 2025, https://enlazatx.com/press_release/enlaza-therapeutics-announces-strategic-collaboration-with-vertex-pharmaceuticals-to-develop-war-lock-drug-conjugates-and-t-cell-engagers-for-improved-conditioning-and-certain-autoimmune-diseases/
3. Argo Biopharma. Argo Biopharma Announces Multi-Asset License and Option Agreements with Novartis for Novel Molecules for Cardiovascular Diseases. Press Release. Sept. 3, 2025 https://www.argobiopharma.com/news/153.html
4. Waters. Waters and BD's Biosciences & Diagnostic Solutions Business to Combine, Creating a Life Science and Diagnostics Leader Focused on Regulated, High-Volume Testing. Press Release. July 14, 2025. https://ir.waters.com/News--Events/newsroom/news-details/2025/Waters-and-BDs-Biosciences--Diagnostic-Solutions-Business-to-Combine-Creating-a-Life-Science-and-Diagnostics-Leader-Focused-on-Regulated-High-Volume-Testing/default.aspx