March 2026

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.

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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 (CAMEBRIDGE, 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. Here’s what the distribution looks like…

DIVING DEEPER INTO FEBRUARY

Offer for the month:

• FRACTONAL CHEIF 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)  

• Title: Senior Director, Regulatory Affairs 

• Expertise: 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)

• Title: VP, Clinical Development  

• Expertise: leading clinical development trials across cell therapy (t-cells) in Autoimmunity

• MD, PhD (Board-certified Rheumatologist)

ACTIVE SEARCHES

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! 

Q32 BIO

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. For Kasee and her family, March was all about celebrating. Her husband, Mike, and their son share a birthday week making for double the celebration!