1. In Vivo
  2. >>Global Vision

Biovitrum: A New Flavor of Spin-Off

 
• By Melanie Senior

Pharmacia spin-off Biovitrum, like other biotechs born out of Big Pharma, has found favor with investors seeking experienced management and advanced programs. But Biovitrum's size, cash flow, and independence appear to make it more attractive still.

After Pharmacia Corp. 's merger with Monsanto in December 1999 [See Deal], the enlarged group needed to cut R&D costs, which were running at a higher-than-average 20%. Figuring out how to do so was up to Mats Pettersson, who, as SVP and a member of the management committee at Pharmacia, had overseen the Monsanto merger. "It was clear that Pharmacia had too many research sites," he explains. The Stockholm-based metabolic disease center was one obvious place to cut, since work there was at an early stage, and few were aware that Pharmacia was doing small molecule work in Sweden.

Rather than moving the metabolic disease research programs to the US, Pettersson decided to keep the work going in Stockholm,...

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
Start Free Trial

Already a subscriber?

More from Global Vision

By The Numbers: Phase III Trials In China Skyrocket While Phase I Falls To Earth

 
• By Mainbayar Badarch

China has rapidly expanded its clinical trial footprint since 2015, driven by regulatory reforms and increased investment in pharma R&D. By 2023, it matched the US in trial volume. Oncology leads, but biologics are leading in momentum.

Navigating the GLP-1 Opportunity In China: Strategic Imperatives For Western Pharma

 
• By Jo Shorthouse

The Chinese appetite for GLP-1s is noticeable. While the market opportunity for western pharma is huge, so are the strategic market access challenges, though not unsurmountable, L.E.K. Consulting told In Vivo.

Can Italy Shake Off Its Reputation And Become A Premier Hub For Biotech?

 
• By Barnaby Pickering

Leading industry experts have spoken to In Vivo about how investment, a change in mindset and a fresh approach to policy may allow Italy to kick-start its biotech ecosystem.

Global Pharma Interest In Korea Undeterred Despite Political Roller Coaster

 
• By Jung Won Shin

Despite recent political turmoil, outside investor and corporate interest in South Korean biopharma innovation appears robust or even increasing.

More from In Vivo

‘A Small Medtech Industry Ecosystem With An Outsized Global Influence’

 
• By Ashley Yeo

Entrepreneurialism is in the blood of Israel’s medtech innovators, but in a changing medtech world, the local ecosystem must address funding gaps and manufacturing and infrastructure needs. So says Ruti Alon, experienced Israeli medtech leader, investor and co-chair of the Biomed Israel conference.

Dealmaking Quarterly Statistics, Q2 2025

 
• By Maureen Riordan and Deanna Kamienski

During Q2, biopharma merger and acquisition deal value reached $24.6bn and drew in $60.7bn in potential deal value from alliances. Device company M&A values reached $223m, while in vitro diagnostics and research tools players’ M&A activity totaled $802m.

PBMs Tighten The Reins: Value Becomes The New Access Gatekeeper

 
• By Andrew Cox

Facing rising costs and tighter regulations, PBMs and insurers are accelerating the shift to value-based drug coverage, demanding stronger proof of therapeutic and economic benefit from pharma.