Are Companies Bought, Not Sold? Rethinking M&A In Life Sciences

The well-worn adage “good companies are bought, not sold” suggests that top-tier businesses, especially in high-growth industries like life sciences, do not need to seek buyers; instead, buyers pursue them. While some high-profile examples grab headlines, they are the exception, not the norm — especially in life sciences. As specialists in life science transactions, we advise management and boards to challenge this myth. Believing “good companies are bought, not sold” can be dangerously misleading and does not reflect the reality of the overwhelming majority of acquisitions in this sector.