Pharma Giants Spend Nearly $15 Billion in Four Days to Secure Cutting-Edge Therapeutic Platforms

Nov 18, 2025 19:20 CST Updated 19:20

Johnson & Johnson

Medical Device R&D and Manufacturer

ABL Bio

Developer of Immunooncology and Neurodegenerative Disease Therapeutics

Cidara Therapeutics

Anti-infective Drug Developer

"Major pharmaceutical companies" take actions one after another, which may trigger a new round of investment boom.

11Month17On the evening of the day, Johnson & Johnson announced that it had reached a final agreement to30.5Acquisition of Clinical-Stage Biotechnology Company for $ Billion in CashHalda Therapeutics, further strengthening the oncology product line and providing potential momentum for medium- to long-term performance growth. The transaction is expected to be completed in the coming months, subject to antitrust review and other customary closing conditions.

According to reports,Therapeutics HaldaWith proprietary regulatory-induced proximity-targeting chimeras (RIPTAC) platform, for the development of oral targeted therapies for various solid tumors. Among them, the leading candidate drugHLD-0915Currently in Phase Ⅰ/Phase II Clinical Research Stage, Aimed at Overcoming Metastatic Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer (mCRPC) Drug resistance in treatment.

Notably, Johnson & Johnson's recent substantial investment is not an isolated case. On the same day, Eli Lilly also partnered with South Korean biotechnology companyABL BioReach a major cooperation agreement by paying4000Million USD as the down payment, and up to25.6Million-dollar biotechnology-related payment to acquire the latter's bispecific antibody platformGrabodyThe right to use. And in11Month14On the same day, Merck also announced with92Billion-dollar acquisitionCidara Therapeutics, obtaining the latter's core candidate long-acting antiviral drugCD388。

In just four days, three pharmaceutical giants—Merck, Johnson & Johnson, and Eli Lilly—InNearly150The total funding of billions of dollars has been precisely directed towards three distinctly different technological directions, clearly sending out a strong signal: the global pharmaceutical industry is ushering in a new wave of technological innovation and strategic layout climax, and the future competitive barriers in the innovative drug sector may be rapidly reshaped.

Another Move in the Prostate Cancer Field

Headquartered in New Haven, USAHalda Therapeutics，Pioneered by Yale University in protein degradationCraig M. CrewsProfessor Co-founded. Protein degrader-targeting chimeras (PROTAC) molecule is similar,Halda TherapeuticsDevelopedRIPTACIt is also a heterobifunctional molecule, with one end recognizing a protein specific to cancer cells and the other end binding to a protein crucial for cell survival. This“hold-and-kill"Mechanism aimed to overcome tumor drug resistance at its root.

InHalda TherapeuticsOralfirst-in-class RIPTACDrugHLD-0915As an example, it is able to simultaneously bind to the androgen receptor (AR) and an important cellular protein bromodomain involved in transcriptional regulation4（BRD4). The trimeric complex formed by this combination leads toBRD4Loss of function, and selectively triggered the death of prostate cancer cells. Based on this unique design,HLD-0915Expected to address the bypass resistance mechanism in prostate cancer.

This Year10Month,Halda TherapeuticsDisclosedHLD-0915Results of the first human trial: In all dose cohorts, in patients who have received extensive pre-treatmentmCRPCAntitumor activity was observed in patients; in22Among patients who have completed at least two cycles of once-daily oral medication treatment,59%Patients with prostate-specific antigen (PSA) Level Decreased50%The above,32%PatientsPSAThe level has decreased.90%Above; According toRECISTStandard, All5Patients with measurable diseases (5/5) Both achieved partial remission in the first relief assessment (PR）。

Less than a month after the aforementioned data was released, Johnson & JohnsonHalda TherapeuticLaunch an acquisition, obviously eyeingHLD-0915AndRIPTACThe application potential of the technology platform. This entirely new approach to cancer treatment could further solidify Johnson & Johnson's leading position in the oncology field.

According to the financial report, in2025In the first three quarters of the year, Johnson & Johnson's cumulative revenue reached696.29Billion USD, Year-over-Year Growth5%. Among which, the revenue from the innovative pharmaceuticals sector446.38USD billion, a year-on-year increase of4.7%Among them, the oncology business has become the core engine of Johnson & Johnson's performance, contributing185.19Billion dollars in revenue,Darzalex(Daratumumab),Erleada（Apalutamide) andCarvyktiProducts such as Cilta-cel (Ciltacabtagene Autoleucel) have shown strong performance.

Among them, the world's firstCD38Monoclonal AntibodyDarzalexSales were104.48USD billion, a year-on-year increase of21.7%, is the cornerstone of Johnson & Johnson's oncology sector. Co-developed with Legend BiotechCAR-TTherapyCarvyktiEspecially eye-catching, with income in the first three quarters reaching13.32billion dollars, compared to the same period last year6.29USD billion to achieve double growth, with annual sales expected to exceed20Billion US dollars.A New Generation of Orally Available Androgen Receptor InhibitorsErleadaSimilarly created26.15Billion USD in revenue, year-over-year growth18%。

InHLD-0915In the field of prostate cancer, Johnson & Johnson has actually established a strong presence. According to reports,ErleadaAnd Dual-Action Compound FormulationsAkeega(Niraparib and Abiraterone) Both drugs are key products of Johnson & Johnson in the field of prostate cancer. At the same time, Johnson & Johnson is also targeting kallikrein.2（KLK2) ofTCell Adhesion MoleculepasritamigAdvanced to Phase III trial, as a late-stagemCRPCMonotherapy.

2024Year1In the month, Johnson & Johnson invested20Acquisition of Clinical-Stage Biopharmaceutical Company for $ BillionAmbrx Biopharma, and the latter targets prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) ofARX517Secured. The product has already been approved.FDAGranted Fast Track Designation for the Treatment ofmCRPC. And this time through the acquisitionHalda Therapeutics, Johnson & Johnson is expected to leverageRIPTACThis revolutionary technology further enhances its voice in this core track.

Cutting-edge technology platforms face fierce competition

There is no doubt that,Cutting-edge Technology PlatformIs becoming the target of acquisition and cooperation among pharmaceutical giants"Hot cake."11Month17Recently, Eli Lilly and a South Korean pharmaceutical companyABL BioAlso reached a deal. Lilly willABL BioPayment4000Million USD as the down payment, and up to25.6USD billion in biotechnology-related funds to acquire the latterGrobody-BThe right to use the platform. In addition, Eli Lilly will alsoABL BioConduct a project worth approximately1500Million USD equity investment.

Founded in2016Year'sABL BioFocused on the development of bispecific antibodies for immuno-oncology and neurodegenerative diseases, has built up a portfolio includingGrabody-T、Grabody-IAndGrabody-B...and other technical platforms. Among them,Grabody-BIt is theABL BioIndependently developed innovative platform, which is based on insulin-like growth factor1Receptor (IGF1R) as the target, maximizing blood-brain barrier penetration, with the potential to break through the central nervous system (CNS) The long-standing bottleneck in drug delivery.

Before this collaboration with Eli Lilly was reached,ABL BioHas "tied the knot" with multiple multinational pharmaceutical companies.2022Year1Month,ABL BioCollaborate with Sanofi on the Development and Commercialization of Parkinson's Disease Treatment DrugsABL301Reach cooperation, with a total transaction value as high as9.85Billion USD. This year4Month,ABL BioAndGSKReach a global licensing agreement, allowing the latter to utilizeGrabody-BPlatform develops new drugs for neurodegenerative diseases, with a total transaction value of approximately26.78Billion US dollars.

Since the new drug for Alzheimer's diseaseDonanemab(Donanemab) in2024After being approved for marketing this year, Eli Lilly has positioned central nervous system diseases as a new growth engine for future performance.4In the month, Eli Lilly andSangamoReached a cooperation agreement, using the latter'sSTAC-BBBCapsid Platform DevelopmentCentral Nervous System DiseasesGene therapy. For this, Eli Lilly paid1800Million USD upfront and up to14Additional milestone payments of hundreds of millions of dollars as well as sales royalties.

And this amount withABL BioThe deal once again demonstrated Eli Lilly's determination to expand its bet on central nervous system diseases. It was revealed that Eli Lilly couldGrabody-BThe platform is applied in "multiple modes," including antibodies and small interferingRNAetc.

Coincidentally,11Month14Day,Merck also announced that it will92USD billion acquisition dedicated to drug development-FcConjugate (DFC) Therapy Biotechnology CompanyCidara Therapeutics. This acquisition is seen as MSD's response to"PostK"PharmTimes" important strategic initiative to address growth pressures.

Cidara TherapeuticsCore Candidate DrugCD388Composed of small-molecule neuraminidase inhibitors and human-derived antibodiesFcStable conjugation of fragments aimed at preventing influenza A and B, currently in Phase III trials involving adult and adolescent participants at high risk of influenza complications.ANCHOREvaluated in the study. Based on Phase IIbPeriodNAVIGATEThe results of the study,FDAGrantedCD388Breakthrough Therapy Designation.

Through this acquisition, MerckWill introduceCD388This potentially first-of-its-kind long-acting antiviral drug enhances the product pipeline.. And besidesCD388Itself,Cidara TherapeuticsTheCloudbreak®The technology platform will also help MSD develop more drugs. It is reported that the platform is highly modular and scalable, capable of developing treatments for different pathogens or disease targets.DFCDrug, the future in Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV）And even in the field of tumor immunology, it has application potential.

FromThese three transactionsIt is not difficult to see,"Purchased Innovation" Has Become the Mainstream of the Industry. Giants No LongerOnlyRelying on internal R&D is no longer the primary strategy; instead, companies are actively looking externally for the most disruptive early-stage technologies to quickly fill pipeline gaps through acquisitions or collaborations. The focus of competition among industry giants is no longer a single drug nearing market launch but rather technologies like...RIPTAC、Grabody-BSuch a technology platform can give rise to multiple blockbuster drugs and bring sustained returns.

In summary, thisFieldRecently150Billion US dollars“Carnival”, which is an inevitable choice for multinational pharmaceutical companies under the pressure of innovation. They are investing heavily, betting their future on scientific and technological breakthroughs that can create entirely new treatment paradigms.