Novartis acquisition and biosimulation growth spur pharmaceutical innovation

Novartis completed a USD 2.9 billion acquisition of Munich‑based Morphosys, expanding its antibody‑library platform and reporting first‑quarter net sales of USD 13.1 billion, above expectations. The deal reflects major players’ reliance on deep pockets to secure emerging drug technologies. BioNTech, headquartered in Mainz, is leveraging its mRNA platform and a cash reserve of EUR 16.8 billion to build an integrated oncology pipeline, while small‑cap BioNxt Solutions focuses on the “last mile” of delivery with oral dissolvable films that boost bioavailability, exemplified by a sublingual cladribine formulation showing a 40 % absorption increase and backed by a new European patent.

Meanwhile, the global biosimulation market is projected to rise to USD 9.18 billion by 2029, a CAGR of 16.7 % driven by AI‑enabled modeling, digital twins and model‑informed drug development. Leading firms such as Certara, Schrödinger, Simulations Plus, Dassault Systèmes BIOVIA, Genedata and Physiomics are expanding tools for pharmacokinetics, toxicology and formulation development, positioning biosimulation as a core component of faster, lower‑risk pharmaceutical R&D.