Deep-Pocketed Big Pharma Meets Spec Pharma's Challenge

In early 2006, we noted in this space that in-licensing on the part of specialty pharmaceutical start-ups was rising relative to Big Pharma's in-licensing rate, with specialty pharmas even out-competing Big Pharma in some specific cases for rights to promising clinical programs. Since then, however, Big Pharma's unprecedented late-stage spending spree has far outpaced spec pharma's licensing, particularly in clinical stage deals.