Germany's GPC Biotech has taken a frugal and tortuous journey from platform to product company. As the customer base for its new-target discovery platform grew less receptive, it attempted to move its business towards products, but was prevented by its lack of management and its illiquid Neuer Markt shares. Thus it leveraged its Bristol-Myers connections to build an oncology team and create a pipeline, at the same time largely refocusing the company on in-licensing. In the meantime, rather than disbanding its discovery work, GPC is trying to reorient its entire platform towards applied uses in order to attract corporate funding and to feed its own pipeline. The result: a business model increasingly relevant to a financially troubled and largely directionless biotech industry.

Mylan’s full year 2019 earnings report was its last as an independent company, so the focus was on the coming merger with Pfizer’s Upjohn and growth prospects for the new company, Viatris.

Colgate Zero toothpastes and mouthwashes promote what’s missing; Tom’s of Maine natural personal care expands with prebiotic toothpaste, deodorant and hand soap; Gaia adds hemp to its herbs; and Church & Dwight goes environmentally friendly with VitaFusion Goodness supplements, adds CBD versions to line, too.