So, Big Pharma--you all want to make a deal with biotech. But who's most likely to step up to the plate for Biogen Idec? Analysts put the price tag at $25 billion to $30 billion, so only the cash-rich need apply. Pfizer fits that bill, and just last week [1]said it wants to be a "top-tier company in biotherapeutics," but the FTC might not like the combo. Sanofi-Aventis [2] is actively on the prowl, too, and some experts have said it's a likely Biogen suitor. J&J is a possibility, analysts said. Merck is sitting on a pile of cash, too, and it poached Biogen's CFO a few months ago--might it want the rest of the company?
Other analysts say Eli Lilly [3] and Wyeth [4] are interested, but they're not on anyone's top three list. Some point to GlaxoSmithKline, while others say GSK's priorities don't match Biogen's. Roche is busy pursuing Ventana [5]. Novartis has a competing interest in MS drugs. And count AstraZeneca out; it's still digesting [6]the $15.6 billion MedImmune.
- see Biogen Idec's announcement [7] on the sale
- check out the possible suitors [8] from the Boston Globe
- read analyst speculation [9]
- here's more analyst conjecture [10] from CNBC
Related Articles:
Should Pharma take the M&A cure? Report [11]
Acquisition deals in biotech keep getting richer. Report [12]
M&A activity heats up as biotech IPOs struggle. Report [13]
Read more on: Biogen Idec [14]
Links:
[1] http://www.fiercebiotech.com/story/pfizer-hires-new-r-d-chief-launches-biotech-center/2007-10-04
[2] http://www.fiercebiotech.com/story/sanofi-underscores-pipeline-advances-setbacks/2007-09-17
[3] http://www.fiercebiotech.com/story/lilly-developing-biotech-drugs-old-fashioned-way/2007-07-31
[4] http://www.fiercepharma.com/story/wyeth-buyout-good-deal-pfizer/2007-08-21
[5] http://www.fiercebiotech.com/story/roche-won-t-budge-on-3-billion-ventana-offer/2007-10-11?utm_medium=nl&utm_source=link
[6] http://www.fiercebiotech.com/story/astrazeneca-snares-medimmune-in-15.6b-buyout/2007-04-23
[7] http://www.fiercebiotech.com/press-releases/press-release-biogen-idec-issues-statement
[8] http://www.boston.com/business/globe/articles/2007/10/13/biogen_idec_to_consider_purchase_offers/?page=2
[9] http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/20071015/biogen-idec-biib-looking-for-a-buyer.htm
[10] http://www.cnbc.com/id/21305302
[11] http://www.fiercepharma.com/story/should-pharma-take-m-cure/2007-10-01
[12] http://www.fiercebiotech.com/story/acquisition-deals-in-biotech-keep-getting-richer/2006-11-02
[13] http://www.fiercebiotech.com/story/ma-activity-heats-up-as-biotech-ipos-struggle/2007-02-23
[14] http://www.fiercebiotech.com/tags/biogen-idec