Through September 2023, biopharmas raised a total of $49.15 billion, up 7.46% in value from the $45.74 billion raised in the same period last year. Value is down from $93.98 billion raised in 2021 and $104.09 billion in 2020, but up from $42.17 billion raised in 2019 in the same time period.

January-August 2023 saw clinical trial data up 1.22% compared to the same time period last year. In the first eight months of this year, BioWorld reported on 2,314 drugs in phase I-III, compared to 2,286 in the same timeframe in 2022. The number of trial updates is down 13.24% from the 2,667 in 2021 and down from 2020’s 2,363, but up 20.46% from 2019’s 1,921.

Biopharma grants are up nearly 150% compared to the same time period last year, largely due to a number of $100 million-plus grants from the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA). Meanwhile, nonprofit deal value has declined year-over-year, with the number of transactions down 42.21%.

The first seven months of 2023 saw clinical trial data up 1.43% compared to the same time period last year. From January through July this year, BioWorld reported on 2,064 drugs in phase I-III, compared to 2,035 in the same time period in 2022. The number of trial updates is down 14.07% from the 2,402 in 2021 and down from 2020’s 2,096, but up 18.15% from 2019’s 1,747.

The June dip in biopharma deal value was short-lived, with July seeing 106 deals worth $17.57 billion, up 72.03% from $10.22 billion in July 2022.

Broadly neutralizing antibodies (bNAbs) have the potential to prevent HIV, and more researchers are turning to bNAbs as an alternative to antiretroviral therapy (ART), speakers said during the International AIDS Society meeting held July 23 to 26 in Brisbane, Australia. However, for a cure, the viral reservoir that is formed in the early stages of HIV remains an obstacle, and recent studies suggest that controlling or eliminating the HIV reservoir with bNAbs might be possible.

In June 2023, biopharmas collectively raised $6.82 billion through 109 financing transactions. The amount raised is 32.95% more than last June’s $5.13 billion, and the number of transactions is up 26.74%, compared to 86 in June 2022. This echoes the 23.34% increase seen in financings in the first half of 2023 compared to last year.

Biopharma deal values are continuing to track at a similar pace to last year, down only 0.31% compared to the first five months of 2022, while there have been 173 fewer deals. M&A values are at their lowest value in all years tracked by BioWorld (2016-2023).