16 biotech upstarts that could be M&A targets as massive drugmakers look to keep growing after a tumultuous year

• A new Bloomberg Intelligence investor survey revealed which biotechs are most likely to be bought in 2021.
• Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Blueprint Medicines, Neurocrine, Trillium Therapeutics, and Global Blood Therapeutics rank among the top takeout targets highlighted by investors. 
• The survey had the 78 anonymous respondents identify the top takeout targets for five major drug industry leaders: Pfizer, Sanofi, Biogen, Gilead, and Vertex.

The biotech industry is anticipating another bustling year in 2021, and a new Bloomberg Intelligence survey of investors reveals some of the hottest takeout targets headed into the new year.

Bloomberg analysts conducted the survey from November 24-30, in total collecting 78 anonymous responses from members of the biopharma investment community, two-thirds of whom were buy-side investors. 

They asked investors what biotechs they thought made for the best acquisition targets for five large drugmakers – Pfizer, Sanofi, Biogen, Gilead Sciences, and Vertex Pharmaceuticals.