With only weeks to go in 2022, the three major pharmas each had inked between 16 and 20 deals. Meanwhile, Pfizer has been less busy with 12 deals, but those include M&A totaling $18.2bn.

Two acquisitions of brands in as many months, Lupin has stepped up its game in the Americas. A buyout of nine established Bausch Health brands follows rights to two from Sunovion. While it awaits news on generic(g) Spiriva, the launch of gPerforomist will help expand Lupin’s respiratory franchise

AstraZeneca and Moderna also shone as the pharma, biotech and allied industries came together in London on 30 November to celebrate a year of exceptional achievement at the 18th Annual Scrip Awards, hosted by the actor, comedian and presenter Stephen Mangan.

The German biotech plans to prevent chemotherapy-induced hearing loss and treat chronic hearing loss by targeting a potassium channel in the ear’s sensory hair cells as it tackles a widespread but side-lined area.