Piramal Pharma Acquires Additional 40.67% Stake in Yapan Bio; Curium Announces ~$8 Billion Acquisition of Lantheum

August 30, 2026

Pharmaceutical Technology Global

Overview

Indian pharmaceutical services group Piramal Pharma has acquired an additional 40.67% stake in Yapan Bio, a Hyderabad-based CDMO specializing in vaccines and biopharmaceuticals, strengthening its presence in biologics manufacturing. Concurrently, US radiopharmaceutical company Curium announced its intention to acquire peer Lantheum for approximately $8 billion. These acquisitions represent strategic moves by the companies to expand capabilities in specific growth sectors and enhance market competitiveness. Curium’s substantial acquisition, in particular, has the potential to accelerate consolidation within the radiopharmaceutical market.

In Depth

Key Findings

In August 2026, two significant M&A activities were reported in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries. Piramal Pharma, an Indian pharmaceutical services group, acquired an additional 40.67% stake in Yapan Bio, a CDMO specializing in vaccine and biopharmaceutical manufacturing, thereby deepening its strategic involvement in the biopharmaceutical sector. Concurrently, Curium, a U.S.-based radiopharmaceutical company, announced its plan to acquire fellow industry player Lantheum for a substantial sum of approximately $8 billion.

Technical / Clinical Details

Piramal Pharma’s increased investment in Yapan Bio aims to leverage Yapan Bio’s expertise and manufacturing capabilities in vaccine and biopharmaceutical production, located in Hyderabad, to expand Piramal Pharma’s service portfolio. This move is seen as a response to the growing demand in the biopharmaceutical market, particularly for vaccine manufacturing. On the other hand, Curium’s acquisition of Lantheum epitomizes market consolidation within the radiopharmaceutical sector. The integration of Lantheum’s technologies and pipeline with Curium’s existing operations is expected to strengthen the development and supply infrastructure for new diagnostic and therapeutic agents.

Background & Context

In the pharmaceutical industry, securing specialized capabilities in specific high-growth areas and expanding market share are primary drivers for M&A. The biopharmaceutical CDMO market continues its robust growth due to increasing complexity in drug development and the rise in outsourcing, a trend that Piramal Pharma’s move aligns with. Furthermore, the radiopharmaceutical market is also projected to grow through new technological developments in cancer diagnosis and treatment, and consolidation by major players like Curium could accelerate innovation and market expansion in this segment.

Strategic Significance & Outlook

Piramal Pharma’s strengthened control over Yapan Bio will enhance the presence of Indian companies in the global biopharmaceutical CDMO market. The reinforcement of biopharmaceutical manufacturing capabilities, particularly in the Asian market, is also crucial from the perspective of diversifying the supply chain. The integration of Curium and Lantheum is poised to reshape the competitive landscape in the radiopharmaceutical market, fostering more efficient research, development, and commercialization. These M&A activities underscore that strategic growth focused on specific technological domains and market consolidation will be key trends in the future pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries.

Source: https://www.thepharmaletter.com/mergers-acquisitions

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