1. Scrip
  2. >>Business
  3. >>Strategy

UK Biotech Learns the Hard Way

 
• By Melanie Senior

A bunch of UK biotech firms are in trouble, some forced to restructure and others to seek financing on miserably expensive terms. All wish they'd raised more money during the funding bonanza of 2000. Challenging times such as these reveal lingering cracks--and lack of experience--in strategy and business management. This suggests that UK industry, although it has matured significantly since the brutal blow to confidence dealt by a major product failure at British Biotech during the sector's tender early years, still has some way to go.

UK biotech is struggling through a winter almost as harsh as that brought on by British Biotech PLC during the mid-nineties. This time, though, it's not just about one product failure at one company. A bunch of firms are in trouble, some forced to restructure and others to seek financing on miserably expensive terms. All wish they'd raised more money during the funding bonanza of 2000.

Cancer play Antisoma PLC last month announced a highly dilutive four-for-three rights issue to raise £22 million, just months...

Read the full article – start your free trial today!

Join thousands of industry professionals who rely on Scrip 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 Strategy

Leo Keeps On Profitable Path With Solid H1 Sales Growth

 
• By Kevin Grogan

The Danish firm's atopic dermatitis drug Adbry is performing well despite strong competition from Sanofi/Regeneron’s Dupixent.

Indegene Exec On DTP Distribution As A ‘Tactical Solution’, Feasibility Of MFN Model

 
• By Anju Ghangurde

Senior Indegene executive William Lobb talks about complexities of the direct-to-patient distribution model in the US and underlines that it isn’t a comprehensive healthcare fix. Feasibility of MFN pricing and why it may be “catastrophic” to the industry were some of the other topics discussed.

Tonix Ready To Revive Fibromyalgia Market With Tonyma

 
• By Joseph Haas

The first new drug for fibromyalgia since 2009, Tonyma is a reformulation of cyclobenzaprine intended for chronic therapy. Tonix said the drug targets non-restorative sleep.

Zydus Looks To Ride gIbrance Exclusivity Wave; GLP-1 Battle-Ready With Differentiated Pen

 
• By Vibha Ravi

Ibrance is losing share to other drugs, but Zydus looks forward to a late 2027/early 2028 launch of its generic in the US where partner Synthon might have 180-day exclusivity. In India, as Lilly launches Mounjaro KwikPen, it hopes for a GLP-1 edge with a differentiated device and formulation.

More from Business

Quick Listen: Scrip’s Five Must-Know Things

 
• By Ian Haydock

In this week's episode: a look at the likely top drugs in 2030; Lilly CEO advocates US/Europe pricing rebalance; Insmed sees $5bn-plus market for Brinsupri; royalty deals go mainstream; Phase III win sets stage for Epkinly label expansion.

Finance Watch: Did Mid-Summer Usher In A Mega-Round Comeback?

 
• By Mandy Jackson

Private Company Edition: Hatteras Venture Partners now has more than $900m under management. Also, in recent $100m-plus VC rounds, Strand Therapeutics raised a $153m series A, ARTBIO revealed a $132m series B and Minghui Pharmaceutical secured a $131m pre-IPO round.

Tonix Ready To Revive Fibromyalgia Market With Tonyma

 
• By Joseph Haas

The first new drug for fibromyalgia since 2009, Tonyma is a reformulation of cyclobenzaprine intended for chronic therapy. Tonix said the drug targets non-restorative sleep.