March brought the momentum the market has been building toward. After a slow start to the year, biotech is finally starting to defrost. M&A activity is picking up, hiring remains active across clinical and regulatory functions, and investors are re-engaging.
At Trebla, we felt that shift firsthand with new partnerships, continued growth, and a strong pipeline of talent.
Trends
Here's what we're seeing in the biotech hiring landscape right now
Pipelines in Motion
Biotech March Madness — M&A is seeing its own rebound, with deal activity picking up and large pharma continuing to move on innovative assets that fit tightly within existing portfolios. Key deals this month include:
GSK → RAPT Therapeutics
To strengthen its immunology pipeline, adding a Phase 2b-ready asset in allergy and inflammation.
Merck → Terns Pharmaceuticals
To acquire an oral BCR-ABL inhibitor for chronic myeloid leukemia (CML).
Otsuka Pharmaceutical → Transcend Therapeutics
Acquisition centered on a neuroplastogen in development for PTSD, expanding Otsuka's CNS pipeline.
Novartis → Excellergy
Strategic move to access a next-generation anti-IgE program targeting food allergies, building on its immunology capabilities.
Gilead Sciences → Ouro Medicines
Acquisition of clinical-stage autoimmune T-cell engager programs, further advancing Gilead's immunology and cell therapy strategy.
Trimming Their Trials
Workforce reductions continued this month, as expected, but at a notably slower pace compared to last year. 12 companies announced layoffs in March. Here's the list we thought you'd find most useful:
Takeda Pharmaceutical (Cambridge, MA)
Over 600 will lose their jobs on account of a US restructuring plan effective July 2026.
Gossamer Bio (San Diego)
After their Phase 3 trial failure, the company cuts 77 jobs to extend cash runway.
Theravance Biopharma (San Francisco)
Lays off half its workforce to prioritize commercial efforts affecting Clinical and R&D teams.
Layoffs aren't evenly distributed. Roughly two-thirds are hitting R&D as companies cut early-stage work, with clinical teams seeing targeted reductions and commercial roles impacted primarily at larger pharma.
Diving Deeper into March
Offer for the month:
Fractional Chief Medical Officer
- Hourly Rate: $600 per hour
- Hours per month: <80
- Equity: N/A
- Location: San Francisco, CA
Crowned Candidates
Are you hiring? We have you covered!
Regulatory Pick · Candidate #10908
Senior Director, Regulatory Affairs- Regulatory strategist with extensive experience in oncology (solid tumors)
- 7+ years serving as a Global Regulatory Lead
- Led NDA + Marketing applications
Clinical Pick · Candidate #5209
VP, Clinical Development- Leading clinical development trials across cell therapy (t-cells) in Autoimmunity
- MD, PhD (Board-certified Rheumatologist)
Active Searches
Open Roles
Regulatory Affairs
- Executive Director, Regulatory Affairs – Autoimmune (Remote West Coast)
- Senior Director, Regulatory Affairs – Oncology (Remote West Coast)
- Associate Director, Regulatory Affairs – Rare Disease (South San Francisco, CA)
- Senior Manager, Regulatory Affairs – Rare Disease (South San Francisco, CA)
- Manager, Regulatory Affairs – Rare Disease (South San Francisco, CA)
Clinical Development
- Chief Medical Officer – Oncology (Remote West Coast)
- Chief Medical Officer – Immunology/Inflammatory (Remote USA)
- Vice President, Clinical Development – Autoimmune (Remote USA)
- Senior Medical Director, Clinical Development – Neuromuscular (Boston, MA)
Pharmacovigilance & Safety
- Senior Director, PV & Safety – Autoimmune (Remote West Coast)
New to Our Tribe
We welcomed a new client into the Trebla Tribe this month!
A Boston-based clinical-stage biotech developing immune-modulating therapies for autoimmune and inflammatory diseases.
T R I B E
Here's what the Trebla team's been doing off the clock
March brought a little bit of everything for the crew.
Brandon and Dakota squeezed in a perfect day of spring skiing at Copper Mountain before all the snow disappeared. Nat tapped into her inner John Ward Knowles this month, adding "stained glass artist" to her résumé.
