Life Sciences M&A In 2018: Key Strategic Considerations

A month into the new year, speculation continues regarding the forces that will shape mergers and acquisitions (M&A) for 2018. EY recently released a report (the Report) forecasting possible M&A trends in the life sciences sector. As noted in the Report, while the total volume and value of M&A in the life sciences sector fell in 2017, the value of M&A in medtech increased 50%, driven by the pursuit of economies of scale in the therapeutic device market. Now, with newly implemented policies, such as tax reform in the United States, as well as other favourable factors, such as strong growth in emerging markets and a fragmented biopharmaceutical market, the Report suggests a more active year of life sciences M&A deals is on the horizon.