If completed, the merger would create one of the world’s largest pharmaceutical companies, combining two research-driven businesses with extensive global operations and some of the industry’s most valuable medicines. For many years, mergers and acquisitions have been a key strategy for pharmaceutical companies seeking to strengthen research pipelines, expand therapeutic portfolios and increase their international presence. A combined organisation would possess one of the most extensive pharmaceutical research portfolios in the world, supported by thousands of scientists working across multiple continents. Artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming pharmaceutical research. Large pharmaceutical companies increasingly view AI as essential to reducing development timelines and improving research efficiency.