INSIGHTS

As 2025 ends, biopharma dealmaking is rebounding on new terms. Q3 saw $30.8 billion in transactions led by Merck and Genmab, signaling renewed confidence amid tighter capital and faster diligence cycles. Today, commercial clarity drives valuation as much as science. At Spinnaker, we help leadership teams translate innovation into market strategy, quantify value, and compete effectively in a shifting deal landscape.

Merck’s subcutaneous (SC) Keytruda, FDA-approved on Sept 19, 2025, transforms cancer care delivery by replacing 30-minute infusions with 1–2 minute injections. This shift frees oncology clinic capacity, enhances patient access, and redefines value creation in immuno-oncology. By integrating delivery efficiency into strategy, Merck positions Keytruda’s SC formulation as a competitive and operational milestone in oncology’s evolving landscape.

s Q4 begins, biopharma strategic planning takes center stage. What was once a quarter for cleanup is now a critical reset period for 2026. Investor pressure, pricing reform, transparency mandates, and tariff risks are reshaping commercial priorities. For leadership teams, the challenge is clear: recalibrate forecasts, refine launch plans, and align strategy to today’s realities before competitors pull ahead.

Patient journey mapping has transformed how life sciences companies understand and serve patients—but most maps miss a crucial voice: the caregiver. By expanding mapping to capture real-time, diverse patient experiences and integrating caregiver perspectives, companies can design more relevant trials, value-based products, and compelling launch narratives. Including those who guide patients through care not only humanizes development but drives adherence, satisfaction, and co

Phase 3 isn’t just a regulatory milestone—it’s a product’s pseudo launch. In today’s competitive biopharma landscape, success depends on building product differentiation early, not after approval. The design of late-stage trials shapes labeling, messaging, and market access. By embedding differentiation into clinical strategy, companies can turn regulatory readiness into true commercial advantage.

When early research findings challenged the original plan, Spinnaker adapted quickly—broadening the scope to uncover real-world insights that reshaped the strategy. This post explores how flexible thinking and early listening led to a stronger, more impactful outcome for the client.