Global Briefs: Lilly, Takeda, Moderna & More
A roundup of news from the large and mid-sized bio/pharmaceutical companies featuring Eli Lilly and Company, Takeda, Moderna, Alkermes, and CSL. Highlights below.
For the latest news roundup on small and Emerging Pharma companies, see Biotech Briefs.
M&A News
* Alkermes Completes $2.37-Bn Acquisition of Avadel
Partnering News
* Lilly, Innovent in $8.8-Bn Oncology-Drug Pact
* Takeda, Iambic in $1.7-Bn AI-Drug-Discovery Pact
Mfg News
* Moderna, Mexico Gov’t in Vaccines Supply Pact
Appointments
* CSL Appoints Interim CEO
M&A News
Alkermes Completes $2.37-Bn Acquisition of Avadel
Alkermes, a Dublin, Ireland-based bio/pharmaceutical company focused on neuroscience, has completed its acquisition of Avadel Pharmaceuticals, a Dublin, Ireland-based bio/pharmaceutical company, in a $2.37-billion deal.
The acquisition adds Avadel’s FDA-approved product, Lumryz (sodium oxybate), a treatment for cataplexy or excessive daytime sleepiness, to Alkermes’ commercial portfolio, and provides Alkermes with a commercial organization experienced in this disease state.
Under the agreement, Alkermes acquired Avadel for a total transaction consideration of up to $22.50 per share, consisting of $21.00 in cash and one non-transferable contingent value right entitling holders to a potential additional cash payment of $1.50 per share, for a total of $2.37 billion.
Source: Alkermes
Partnering News
Lilly, Innovent in $8.8-Bn Oncology Drug Pact
Eli Lilly and Company and Innovent Biologics, a Suzhou, China-based bio/pharmaceutical company, have entered an agreement to advance medicines in oncology and immunology, in a deal worth up to $8.8 billion ($350 million upfront and $8.5 billion in milestone payments). This represents the seventh collaboration between the companies.
Innovent will lead the development of programs from concept through clinical proof-of-concept (Phase II clinical trial completion) in China. The agreement grants Lilly an exclusive license to develop and commercialize the programs worldwide outside Greater China while Innovent retains rights in Greater China.
Under the agreement, Innovent will receive a $350-million upfront payment and is eligible to receive development, regulatory, and commercial milestone payments totaling up to approximately $8.5 billion contingent upon the achievement of certain future events. Additionally, Innovent will be eligible for tiered royalties on net sales of each product outside of Greater China.
Source: Innovent Biologics
Takeda, Iambic in $1.7-Bn AI Drug Discovery Pact
Takeda and Iambic, a clinical-stage bio/pharmaceutical company, have formed a multi-year technology and discovery collaboration agreement that will use Iambic’s artificial intelligence-based drug-discovery models to advance a select set of high-priority small-molecule programs, initially in Takeda’s oncology and gastrointestinal and inflammation therapeutic areas, in a deal worth up to $1.7 billion.
Through the agreement, Takeda will also gain access to NeuralPLexer, Iambic’s AI-based model for predicting protein-ligand complexes.
Under the agreement, Iambic will receive upfront, research cost, and technology access payments and is eligible to receive success-based payments that could exceed $1.7 billion. The company is also eligible to receive royalties on net sales of any products generated from the collaboration.
Source: Iambic
Mfg News
Moderna, Mexico Gov’t in Vaccines Supply Pact
Moderna has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for a long-term strategic agreement with the Mexican Government, Laboratorios de Biológicos y Reactivos de Mexico (BIRMEX), and Laboratorios Liomont, a Mexican pharmaceutical company for mRNA manufacturing and vaccines supply. The five-year agreement will include the supply of Moderna’s respiratory vaccine portfolio as well as technology transfer to Liomont to produce mRNA-1273, Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine, and establish a reliable in-country supply of respiratory vaccines.
In alignment with “Plan Mexico,” a Mexican government initiative to increase investment and build local production capacity, Moderna and the Mexican Government will also collaborate on local clinical research and development programs based on Mexico’s health priorities and work to strengthen its pandemic preparedness framework.
Source: Moderna
Appointments
CSL Appoints Interim CEO
CSL has announced that Gordon Naylor, a former CSL senior executive and current Non-Executive Director with the company, has been named interim CEO and Managing Director, replacing Dr. Paul McKenzie, who retired as CEO & Managing Director, effective February 11, 2026.
Naylor, who joined the CSL Board of Directors in December 2025, has had a long association with the company. During his 33 years with the company, he was part of a small group that transformed it into a global company in plasma therapies and vaccines. He helped design and build the company’s plasma facility in Broadmeadows, Australia, and was the first Chief Engineer of that site. He also served in senior leadership roles, including Chief Financial Officer and President of Seqirus, the company’s influenza vaccine business.
Source: CSL
