Will Pharma Split Spur Altana Into Action?
Executive Summary
Altana AG announced in July that it would split out the pharmaceuticals division into a separately listed company sometime next year. The news followed a large acquisition in chemicals; but for pharma, the timing couldn't have been worse. Two key late-stage development projects suffered setbacks in the last 12 months, and there's little in the pipeline to replace them.
You may also be interested in...
European Consolidation: Serious Competition for Big Pharma?
Merck KGAA surprised observers when it announced the €10.6 billion takeover of Europe's biggest biotech, Serono. There was more consolidation to come. That same day, the Danish pharmaceutical group Nycomed Group said it would acquire Altana Pharma for about €4.5 billion in cash. Only a couple days later, UCB SA entered the fray with the acquisition of Schwarz Pharma AG for €4.2 billion in cash and stock. Can these bulked up companies present serious competition for Big Pharma on the licensing front?
European Consolidation: Serious Competition for Big Pharma?
Merck KGAA surprised observers when it announced the €10.6 billion takeover of Europe's biggest biotech, Serono. There was more consolidation to come. That same day, the Danish pharmaceutical group Nycomed Group said it would acquire Altana Pharma for about €4.5 billion in cash. Only a couple days later, UCB SA entered the fray with the acquisition of Schwarz Pharma AG for €4.2 billion in cash and stock. Can these bulked up companies present serious competition for Big Pharma on the licensing front?
Merck KGAA's Hostile Bid Catalyzes Bayer-Schering Combo
In March 2006, Bayer AG's €16.3 billion ($19.6 billion) cash offer for Schering trumped compatriot Merck KGAA's unsolicited €14.6 billion takeover bid for the specialist pharma marketer. The offers to acquire Schering put a spotlight on Europe's mid-sized players, most of which are either on the acquisition trail or putting up For Sale signs in front of corporate headquarters.