A survey of strategic licensing practices in the pharmaceutical industry
Alliances often appear to be a relatively cost-effective and rapid answer to fill dwindling pharmaceutical company pipelines; however, studies suggest that over half of all alliances fail to achieve their intended outcomes. This survey has, therefore, been carried out to understand the key strategic and operational challenges associated with the in- and out-licensing process and to provide some insight into improving the situation.

The Generic Retribution
The generic industry has always been overshadowed by branded pharmaceuticals. The government policies and the mandate have also always favored branded pharmaceuticals. However, as the lawmakers come face to face with the rising drug costs and unmanageable healthcare expenditure, and in wake of growing public outcry, the government�s stance seems to softening. The generic industry�s appeals, which have been falling to deaf ears for so long, are finally being heard.

October sees a frenzy of biotech IPOs
October was the busiest month in three years for initial public offerings in the biotechnology sector. But the performance of the newly listed companies has been lacklustre as investors proved wary of betting on businesses that have yet to show a profit.

Venture Financing: Ready To Rebound?
There’s little doubt that the financing window has opened up, but investors, analysts and biotech companies themselves are still questioning just exactly how wide it will be and how long it will last.

Analyzing Brand-name and Generic Drug Costs in the U.S. and Eight Other Countries
A new Wharton study comparing average prices for pharmaceuticals in nine countries � the United States, Canada, Chile, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Mexico and the United Kingdom � shows that average prices are highest in Japan, while prices in other countries are between 6% and 33% lower than prices in the U.S. Canada�s prices are the lowest.

Gene Tests? Not So Fast
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration Monday released draft guidelines regarding how genetic data could be used in new drug applications. Eventually, gene tests could predict exactly which patients might benefit from a particular drug. But this revolution will come slowly. The most telling words in the FDA’s guidance may be ‘draft–not for implementation.’

States flock to biotech like gamblers to lottery tickets
Florida lawmakers last month approved a $310 million biotech research center proposed by Gov. Jeb Bush just three months ago. New York launched a media campaign in September to woo more biotech investors. In the past two years, New Mexico, Kentucky and Arkansas started venture-capital funds to attract and nurture biotech start-ups.

Dozens of other states might be next. A recent Brookings Institution report notes that biotech ranked as the No. 1 or No. 2 target for 83% of 113 state and local economic agencies nationwide.

In Initial Finding, FDA Calls Cloned Animals Safe as Food
Milk and meat from cloned animals are safe to consume, the Food and Drug Administration has tentatively concluded, a finding that could eventually clear the way for such products to reach supermarket shelves and for cloning to be widely used to breed livestock.

Biotech Startups: Take Your Time
Until startups’ products are close to gaining approval, there’s no reason why smart investors would want to share the risks

Has the debate on GM crops been misleading?
More than a hundred scientists have written to Tony Blair, complaining about the handling of the public debate on genetically modified crops.

They say that they feel ‘undermined’ by the government’s failure to correct false claims.