Was just reading a few articles about how big pharma are...

Was just reading a few articles about how big pharma are nowadays looking more to smaller acquisitions rather than larger ones as they are more likely to be profitable and also tends to avoid any government red tape (more chance of government red tape on larger mergers/ acquisitions due to anti competition / monopoly concerns etc).

As we've said before, there's more money in it for us if we go it alone, but as time goes on the chance of see that big pharma 'trading halt' notification grows larger. I wonder who BOT have had sniffing round kicking tyres.

I asked ChatGPT when is it more likely that big pharma may strike.

There isn't a specific time of year when Big Pharma is most likely to acquire small biotech companies, but certain periods do tend to see more activity:

1. Post-Annual Conferences: Many large biotech and pharmaceutical conferences (e.g., JPMorgan Healthcare Conference in January, ASCO in June) serve as forums for networking and deals. Companies often announce acquisitions after these conferences, based on discussions and investor enthusiasm.

2. End of Fiscal Quarters or Year: Companies often make acquisitions toward the end of quarters (March, June, September, December) or the fiscal year to meet strategic goals, bolster pipelines, or spend unused budgets.

3. Post-Clinical Data Releases: Acquisitions can spike when small biotechs release positive clinical data, particularly in Q2 or Q3, when trial data often becomes public. The timing aligns with annual trial schedules and data presentations.

4. Tax Considerations: Deals may also happen before the end of the calendar year (Q4) to maximize tax benefits or take advantage of new fiscal strategies.

So, while there's no "fixed" season, Q1 (after major conferences) and Q4 (end of fiscal years) often see heightened acquisition activity.