GSK is in discussions to acquire Nuvalent for more than $9bn, a transaction that would rank among GSK’s largest deals. The talks come as biotech merger activity picks up in 2026, especially around oncology assets.
10:20 AMFinancial Times5 stories from 4 sources
Big-ticket deals advance as regulators scrutinize megamerger
Day’s Recap
Supporting Articles
GSK agreed to acquire Nuvalent for $10.6 billion, adding a pipeline of targeted oncology drugs to its portfolio. The deal extends the recent wave of large biopharma takeouts aimed at buying late-stage assets rather than building them internally.
2:48 AMStat NewsThe UK competition regulator has opened an investigation into Paramount Skydance Corp.'s proposed $110 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery. The probe will assess whether the deal could reduce competition in UK media and entertainment markets.
6:04 AMBloomberg MarketsNuvei is in advanced negotiations to acquire cross-border payments company Payoneer in a deal valued at about $2.7 billion. The transaction would combine a merchant acquirer with a platform focused on SME and marketplace cross-border payouts.
2:21 PMFinextra10:20 AMFinancial Times
GSK to buy US cancer biotech Nuvalent for $10.6bn
Summary
GSK is in discussions to acquire Nuvalent for more than $9bn, a transaction that would rank among GSK’s largest deals. The talks come as biotech merger activity picks up in 2026, especially around oncology assets.
Why it matters
A $9bn-plus move would reshape GSK’s growth profile and raise the clearing price for oncology biotech M&A.
2:48 AMStat News
STAT+: GSK to buy Nuvalent, maker of targeted cancer drugs, for $10.6B
Summary
GSK agreed to acquire Nuvalent for $10.6 billion, adding a pipeline of targeted oncology drugs to its portfolio. The deal extends the recent wave of large biopharma takeouts aimed at buying late-stage assets rather than building them internally.
Why it matters
The deal resets valuation benchmarks for precision-oncology acquisitions and signals continued urgency among big pharma to secure growth assets via M&A.
6:04 AMBloomberg Markets
Paramount’s $110 Billion Warner Takeover Investigated by UK
Summary
The UK competition regulator has opened an investigation into Paramount Skydance Corp.'s proposed $110 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery. The probe will assess whether the deal could reduce competition in UK media and entertainment markets.
Why it matters
A UK probe adds another veto point that can delay closing, raise remedy costs, or break the deal outright.
2:21 PMFinextra
Nuvei in 'advanced' talks over $2.7bn Payoneer acquisition - Reuters
Summary
Nuvei is in advanced negotiations to acquire cross-border payments company Payoneer in a deal valued at about $2.7 billion. The transaction would combine a merchant acquirer with a platform focused on SME and marketplace cross-border payouts.
Why it matters
If it closes, the deal would create a more vertically integrated payments player and raise competitive pressure on other cross-border and merchant services platforms.
Other Developments
A curated list of other prominent stories from this day.
VodafoneThree has bid for TalkTalk’s consumer business as it looks to expand fixed-line broadband alongside its mobile base. The purchase would add customers and infrastructure relationships that support bundling mobile and home connectivity.
10:00 AMFinancial Times10:00 AMFinancial Times
VodafoneThree bids for TalkTalk consumer business
Summary
VodafoneThree has bid for TalkTalk’s consumer business as it looks to expand fixed-line broadband alongside its mobile base. The purchase would add customers and infrastructure relationships that support bundling mobile and home connectivity.
Why it matters
A successful bid would reshape UK broadband competition and accelerate bundling, with implications for pricing, churn, and future network investment.
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