As COVID-19 vaccinations continue to roll out, momentum builds with strong phase III data for what could become the fourth and fifth walls of defense in the U.S. With three vaccines already authorized, research reported in March offers hope for a second adenovirus vector vaccine candidate with Astrazeneca plc’s AZD-1222, as well as for the first protein subunit vaccine option with Novavax Inc.’s NVX-CoV2373.
The number of venture capital financings completed in March, as well as the total amount they raised for the biopharma industry, are more than any other month in the past 21 years. With 92 rounds worth $6.2 billion, the volume is 35% higher than the September 2020 record of 68, and the total funds are 66% more than the $3.8 billion raised in the next top month of June 2020.
As COVID-19 vaccinations continue to roll out, momentum builds with strong phase III data for what could become the fourth and fifth walls of defense in the U.S.
Med-tech M&A continued an upward trend through March, with 30% more completed in 2021 compared with this point last year. Deals, including collaborations, licensings and joint ventures, are up by 13%, although the value of those deals are trailing 2020 by 39%.
With the massive amounts of capital raised by global public and private biopharmaceutical companies last year generating approximately $134 billion – a total that was almost double the previous record of about $69 billion raised in 2015 – it is not surprising that financing for the regenerative medicine and advanced therapy sector also set an annual record.