Life Sciences Consulting Perspectives | H1 2026
Life Sciences Consulting Perspectives | H1 2026
Alantra’s H1 2026 Life Sciences Consulting Update provides an overview of transaction activity, valuation trends, and broader market developments shaping the Life Sciences Consulting sector.
The report tracks 75 Life Sciences Consulting transactions during TTM Q1 2026, flat to FY 2025 levels. M&A volume remained stable but below pandemic-era peaks, while private equity platform add-on activity continued to show resilience.
Commercialization services continued to lead deal activity, followed by Technology Enablement and Software Implementation. The past year also saw an uptick in Marketing & Communications and Technology Enablement capabilities.
Valuation metrics remain slightly below pandemic-era levels overall, though high-demand assets continue to trade at elevated multiples relative to the broader market. Across selected Life Sciences Consulting M&A transactions:
- Average EV / EBITDA was 9.9x in the pre-pandemic period, from 2014 to 2019
- Increased to 15.7x during the pandemic period, from 2020 to 2022
- Moderated to 14.4x in the post-pandemic period, from 2023 to present
The report also reviews macro trends affecting Pharma Services and Life Sciences, including selective private investment, scarce IPO activity, resilient biopharma M&A, accelerating licensing activity, China’s growing role in global drug development, evolving EU and FDA regulatory frameworks, and the impact of GenAI on pharma services delivery models.
Download the full report below
