Healthcare & life sciences

July 2026  |  SPECIAL REPORT: HEALTHCARE & LIFE SCIENCES SECTOR

Financier Worldwide Magazine

July 2026 Issue

Q&A: Biotech and life sciences M&A in 2026

As genuinely novel targets become harder to find, differentiated science will continue to command premium valuations. FW discusses biotech and life sciences M&A in 2026 with Lain Anderson at L.E.K. Consulting, Marie L. Gibson at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, and Frank Aquila at Sullivan & Cromwell LLP.

The European Commission’s Draft Merger Guidelines: implications for life sciences

Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP The most important changes proposed in the DMG are the expansion of dynamic theories of harm, the formal integration of innovation competition into the substantive assessment, the introduction of the ‘innovation shield’ and a broader recognition of efficiencies.

Patent strategy and regulation: key considerations for life sciences in 2026 and beyond

Loeb & Loeb LLP The US patent landscape for life sciences, and particularly for biologics, diagnostics and platform technologies, continues to evolve in ways that raise the bar for early-stage innovators.

IP strategy and how to best prepare for upcoming litigation

Kirkland & Ellis LLP Patent litigation is one of the most powerful tools available to protect a company’s market position, but it is also expensive, disruptive and highly fact intensive.

Rethinking AI governance in the age of agentic systems

Paul Hastings LLP Life science companies should build upon their existing compliance infrastructure, GxP validation requirements, data integrity frameworks and quality management systems while adding layers that address the unique risk profile of autonomous systems.

CONTRIBUTORS

Kirkland & Ellis LLP

L.E.K. Consulting

Loeb & Loeb LLP

Paul Hastings LLP

Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP

Sullivan & Cromwell LLP

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