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?

By Christopher Morrison

Perhaps biopharma companies, like the lovelorn, are most desperate when they're on the rebound.

Read the full article – start your free trial today!

Join thousands of industry professionals who rely on In Vivo for daily insights

  • Start your 7-day free trial
  • Explore trusted news, analysis, and insights
  • Access comprehensive global coverage
  • Enjoy instant access – no credit card required

More from Global Vision

UK Bets On Regulatory Innovation As Competitive Advantage In Synthetic Biology

 
• By 

The UK government has prioritized synthetic biology and created a "concierge service" for biotechs just as the US cuts science funding.

Chinese Firms Build Obesity Clinical Pipeline But Face Wider Hurdles

 
• By 

Despite the ability to initiate clinical trials quickly and having strong manufacturing capacity, Chinese companies are facing multiple challenges in the obesity space.

Unpacking The Impact Of Trump’s Tariffs On Drug Pricing And Production

 
• By 

Big pharma plans to invest billions of dollars in US manufacturing to avoid tariffs proposed by the Trump Administration. However, the implementation of these plans may be delayed due to regulatory complexities and rising costs from tariffs, potentially impacting drug prices for consumers.

Barcelona’s S2 Xpeed Accelerates Hardware-Based Medtech Start-Ups From Prototype To Market

 
• By 

S2 Xpeed is driving the rapid growth of medtech and hardware start-ups in Europe. Operating under a "sweat equity" model, the program helps early-stage companies move from prototype to manufacturing readiness in exchange for equity.

More from In Vivo

Rising Leaders 2025: Namrata Saroj On The Importance Of Authenticity In Ophthalmology

 

Namrata Saroj, chief business officer of Ocular Therapeutix, is highly respected in the retina community for her contributions to drug development. She talked to In Vivo about her journey in ophthalmology, leadership philosophy and the importance of authenticity in a close-knit specialty.

Johnson & Johnson MedTech: How To Scale Digital Solutions

 

J&J's EMEA head of digital solutions, Julia Fishman, talks about the hurdles in scaling digital innovation and what’s up next on J&J’s innovation road map. Robot-assisted surgery pioneer Ivo Broeders gives his perspective on the difficulties in clinical adoption.

Rising Leaders 2025: Emma Hodcroft On Taking Initiative When “Plan A” Falls Short

 

Emma Hodcroft, co-founder of Pathoplexus and a key Nextstrain contributor, stresses the importance of career flexibility for young scientists. She urges early-stage researchers to embrace curiosity, using her unconventional path as an example of how curiosity can lead to impactful success.