This week’s Friday Five spotlights some of the most significant healthcare and life-science mergers and acquisitions of 2025. From multibillion-dollar deals reshaping consumer health and neuroscience to strategic moves in respiratory care, RNA therapeutics, and rare diseases, these announcements highlight how rapidly the industry is evolving. Below, we’ve gathered five standout transactions that are helping define the year’s momentum and set the stage for what’s ahead.
Kimberly-Clark bets $40 billion for Kenvue despite Tylenol controversy
Kimberly-Clark put down $40 billion to acquire Kenvue — a massive deal that left many investors puzzled, especially since the Tylenol maker had been dealing with weak sales, ongoing lawsuits, and criticism from the White House over claims connecting its painkiller to autism.
Johnson & Johnson Closes Landmark Intra-Cellular Therapies, Inc. Acquisition to Solidify Neuroscience Leadership
Johnson & Johnson announced it has completed its acquisition of Intra-Cellular Therapies, Inc. Intra-Cellular Therapies is now part of Johnson & Johnson and will operate as a business unit within Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine.
Novartis to acquire Avidity Biosciences for about $12 billion
Swiss drugmaker Novartis agreed to acquire U.S. biotech firm Avidity Biosciences for about $12 billion in cash, as the company looks to bolster its portfolio of treatments for rare muscle disorders.
Merck Completes Acquisition of Verona Pharma
Merck, known as MSD outside of the United States and Canada, announced the completion of the Verona Pharma acquisition. Verona Pharma is now a wholly-owned subsidiary of Merck and the American Depositary Shares (ADS) of Verona Pharma will no longer be listed or traded on the Nasdaq Global Market.
Sanofi completes acquisition of Blueprint Medicines
Sanofi announced the completion of its acquisition of Blueprint Medicines Corporation (Blueprint), adding to its portfolio a commercialized medicine, a promising pipeline, and the expertise of a company specializing in systemic mastocytosis (SM), a rare immunological disease, and other KIT-driven diseases.
ICYMI – Our other Friday Fives.
