Bain & Company January 9, 2026
By Saskia Carlebur, Kai Grass, and Fabio La Mola

Dealmaking in 2026 may redefine what it means to buy growth.

At a Glance

  • Leading pharmaceuticals companies are acquiring the capabilities for end-to-end production as a hedge against bottlenecks.
  • The search for GLP-1 obesity drug successors and antibody drug conjugates are shifting profit pools.
  • Licensing agreements and partnerships to access Greater China’s world-class pharma pipelines are on the rise.

Pharma M&A is no longer just about chasing the next blockbuster; it’s about platforms, production, and strategic control across the value chain. The race to secure capacity is rapidly redefining what it means to buy growth. For industry executives, the urgent question in 2026 and beyond is, “What parts...

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Topics: Biotechnology, Mergers & Acquisitions / JV, Pharma, Pharma / Biotech, Trends
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