[author: Michael Shuster]

We've known for some time that the pharma patent cliff was driving M&A, and now we have additional empirical evidence. Biotech M&A is at a 5 year high, according to Reuters. The volume of biotech M&A is more than $25 billion so far this year, with particular strength in oncology and immunology.

It serves as a good reminder to life science companies to have their patents in good shape and be up-to-date on the latest in confidentiality agreements for when suitors come knocking.