Episode Details

International Biotechnology Trust (LSE:IBT) portfolio manager Ailsa Craig tells Proactive's Stephen Gunnion that M&A activity in biotech is running hot, with the proposed KalVista Pharmaceuticals acquisition by Chiesi Farmaceutici the latest in a string of deals — and 15% of IBT's portfolio has now been acquired year-to-date at an average premium of 50%. Craig explains the structural driver: big pharma is cash-rich but facing hundreds of billions in revenues lost to patent expiries, forcing them to acquire innovation. With biotech firms accounting for 70% of new drug approvals last year, the sector is firmly in the crosshairs. KalVista is held up as a textbook example of what Craig calls "Biotech 2.0" — clinically de-risked companies addressing real unmet needs. Its oral HAE treatment replaced injectable therapies, and Craig puts it simply: when patients feel an attack coming on, they now just take a tablet. IBT recycles proceeds from exits straight back into new opportunities, keeping the portfolio actively positioned to benefit from continued dealflow. For more insights like this, visit Proactive's YouTube channel, like this video, subscribe to the channel, and enable notifications so you never miss future updates. #Biotech #Pharma #MergersAndAcquisitions #BiotechInvesting #HealthcareStocks #KalVista #DrugDevelopment #InvestingInsights #BiotechNews #PharmaIndustry #StockMarket #HealthcareInnovation