GlaxoSmithKline Breaks Out of Its Small-Molecule Mind-Set

Following similar moves by many of its Big Pharma peers, GSK is buying into large molecules, big time. In December 2006, it paid $454 million in cash for next-generation antibody specialist Domantis. Later that month, the pharmaceutical firm committed over $2 billion in up-fronts, milestones, and equity for an antibody program from Genmab AS. For investors in privately held Domantis, whose most advanced drug candidate is preclinical, the acquisition was a much earlier than-anticipated exit.