Life science news 30 March 2026: Three blockbuster deals, two FDA accelerated approvals and intensifying GLP-1 competition headline a busy week for pharma and biotech.
Merck agreed on 25 March to acquire Terns Pharmaceuticals for $6.7 billion, gaining access to TERN-701, an investigational oral drug for chronic myeloid leukaemia that analysts project could reach $6.2 billion in peak annual sales. The deal comes as Merck prepares for the impending patent expiry of its blockbuster cancer immunotherapy Keytruda and is expected to close in Q2 2026.
Gilead Sciences agreed on 23 March to acquire Ouro Medicines for up to $2.18 billion, securing OM336, a clinical-stage BCMAxCD3 bispecific T-cell engager being developed across a range of autoimmune diseases including Sjogren’s disease and idiopathic inflammatory myopathy. The deal marks Gilead’s continued expansion beyond its traditional virology stronghold into inflammation and immunology.
The FDA on 25 March granted accelerated approval to Denali Therapeutics’ AVLAYAH (tividenofusp alfa), the first ever therapy specifically designed to cross the blood-brain barrier to treat neurological manifestations of Hunter syndrome. The approval was based on a 91% reduction in cerebrospinal fluid heparan sulfate levels and is seen as a significant platform victory for Denali’s TransportVehicle technology.
Rocket Pharmaceuticals received FDA accelerated approval on 27 March for KRESLADI (marnetegragene autotemcel), the first ever gene therapy for children with severe leukocyte adhesion deficiency type I, an ultra-rare and often fatal immune disorder. The company also received a Rare Pediatric Disease Priority Review Voucher alongside the approval.
Novartis agreed on 27 March to acquire Excellergy for $2 billion upfront plus milestones, gaining a next-generation anti-IgE asset positioned as a potential successor to blockbuster allergy drug Xolair. The deal is Novartis’s sixth acquisition since the start of 2025 as the company moves to offset significant patent expiry headwinds in the near term.
Otsuka Pharmaceutical agreed on 27 March to acquire Transcend Therapeutics for $700 million upfront plus up to $525 million in sales milestones, securing TSND-201 (methylone), a rapid-acting investigational treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder that showed significant improvements in PTSD severity scores in a Phase 2 trial. No new treatments have been approved for PTSD in 25 years.
In other life science news 30 March 2026, Novo Nordisk and China’s United Biotechnology reported Phase 2 data showing their next-generation triple incretin therapy outperformed semaglutide in head-to-head testing, signalling intensifying competition in the GLP-1 obesity and diabetes market ahead of anticipated oral GLP-1 approvals later in 2026.
Kodiak Sciences reported positive Phase 3 results on 26 March for tarcocimab tedromer in diabetic retinopathy, catching investors by surprise after previous setbacks with the programme. The results set the company up for an accelerated multi-indication regulatory submission. The Kodiak result was a welcome surprise in life science news 30 March 2026, reversing a run of setbacks for the tarcocimab programme and setting up what could be a significant regulatory milestone.
The FDA released draft guidance this week on non-animal testing models, a move experts say could remove regulatory ambiguity that has limited uptake of new approach methodologies in drug development and potentially accelerate approval timelines for novel therapies.
Sarepta Therapeutics reported positive Phase 1/2 biomarker data from two RNA programmes licensed from Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals this week, with analysts at Jefferies projecting peak sales exceeding $1 billion. The results lifted Sarepta’s stock and came as the FDA separately agreed to review a regulatory package for two of the company’s approved Duchenne muscular dystrophy drugs that had failed confirmatory trials.
That concludes this week’s life science news 30 March 2026 roundup. Stay informed with Life Science Daily News for the latest updates across the global life science and pharmaceutical industry, and check back next week for our next life science news roundup.
This weekly digest is produced by the Life Science Daily News editorial team. All stories are selected and written independently.
