Koki Hirasaki of a16z bio details the cash reserves enabling major biotech M&A activity in early 2019.
Assertion Supported
Hirasaki: Immuno-Oncology Acquisitions Occurred Before Human Clinical Data
“Now, there are some areas of clear exception. So, so very competitive hot areas like oncology, immuno-oncology over the last few years. You've seen this shift in acquisitions earlier on. In, in phase one, and actually even earlier just because it was so compet…”
Assertion Supported
Hirasaki: Spark acquisition vaulted Roche forward in gene therapy platform technology
“And then with the Spark acquisition same thing BMS, I'm sorry Roche was a laggard in the space, and now suddenly leaped ahead with not only a marketed gene therapy, but this AAV platform that it could use for delivering other gene therapies.”
Insight
Hirasaki: Pharma Companies Wait for Phase 2a Data Before Doubling Down
“So, so, you know, it's typical to You know, see pharma companies wait for proof of concept, you know, phase IIa data that shows safety and some efficacy before doubling down.”
Insight
Hirasaki: Top Corporate Buyers Fly In Executive Committees for Priority Biotech Deals
“I can tell you that big companies that really want an asset, that really want to show commitment to that program, will fly, you know, a big portion of their executive committee out in final negotiations to say, hey we're committed.”
Assertion Not checkable as stated
Biotech Boards Increasingly Retain U.S. Rights and Out-License Ex-U.S. Rights
“What we've seen really over the last 10 years is a lot of boards want the companies to be able to be standalone. And so, what you see are, in this fairly typical and actually Spark is a good example, where the company will keep commercial rights for the U.S. A…”
Insight
Pharma Demands Manufacturing Control Unless Assets Require Specialized Know-How
“If the asset is very critical to the business the pharma company will In all likelihood, want to control the manufacturing and distribution unless it is a very niche specialized product like gene therapies and AAVs, which require specialized know-how.”