Annual biopharma financing values have fluctuated significantly over the past seven years, peaking during the pandemic-era surge in 2020 and 2021 before retreating in 2022. After rebounding to more than $102 billion in 2024, total financings declined in 2025 to $81.21 billion. Monthly totals in the year ranged from just under $3 billion (February and April) to more than $13.68 billion in October. December financings totaled $9.08 billion, comparable to November’s $10 billion collective raise.
Med-tech financing activity rebounded sharply in 2025, with total reported capital raised climbing to $39.55 billion, nearly doubling from $25.35 billion in 2024 and approaching pre-pandemic norms. The increase was driven largely by a surge in IPO activity, which reached $13.01 billion. In December, financing value reached $8.23 billion across 36 transactions, up from $4.73 billion in November.
The value of biopharma deals involving nonprofit partners declined sharply over the past several years, falling to about $127.43 million in 2025 after exceeding $21.4 billion in 2021. The 2025 total also represents a steep drop from 2024’s $754.56 million.
BioWorld logged 170 clinical trial updates across phases I through III in November 2025, a decline from 252 updates in October and 230 in September, but higher than the 95 reported in August.
BioWorld logged 170 clinical trial updates across phases I through III in November 2025, a decline from 252 updates in October and 230 in September, but higher than the 95 reported in August.
The U.S. FDA approved 18 drugs in November, down from 20 in October, bringing the total number of clearances to 199 through the first 11 months of the year. The number is about 5% lower than the 209 approvals recorded over the same period in 2024 but more than every prior year.
The BioWorld Biopharmaceutical Index extended its autumn rally after a more modest September, finishing November up 23.41% for the year. The gain lagged the Nasdaq Biotechnology Index, which surged 34.97% in the first 11 months of the year, but outpaced the broader Dow Jones Industrial Average, which rose 12.16% in the same period.
Med-tech M&A value in 2025 totaled about $38.99 billion through November, reflecting a clear slowdown from 2024’s $57.92 billion and well below the peak years of 2021 and 2022, when 11-month totals exceeded $119 billion and $132 billion, respectively. Activity this year has been uneven, with a strong April ($9.04 billion) and July ($7.29 billion) accounting for a large share of the total, while several months posted relatively modest figures. November was particularly quiet, delivering just $5 million in M&A value, down sharply from $1.68 billion in October and marking the weakest month of the year.
Through the first 11 months of 2025, biopharma dealmaking remained robust with collective value reaching $261.14 billion, the highest January through November total of the past seven years and well above 2024’s $201.35 billion. November contributed $15.62 billion, below the average of $24.55 billion per month and a notable decline from October’s unusually strong $31.91 billion, which was the single highest month of 2025.
Med-tech financing activity from January through November 2025 reached $31.32 billion, marking a strong rebound from the sector’s lows in 2023 to 2024, which saw $16.61 billion and $23.64 billion in the same period, respectively. While still far below the capital inflows seen in 2020 and 2021, when the first 11 months of the year exceeded $48 billion, the steady upward progression over recent years suggests renewed investor engagement and improving capital availability. In November, $4.73 billion was collected through 36 transactions, up from $3.25 billion in October.