UCB

885 Words2 Pages

UCB was founded 1920s and their first blockbuster drug was Zyrtec; since then have focused on the anti-inflammatory drugs.1 Sanofi is also in the same field of drugs as UCB. Recently, UCB and Sanofi entered a strategic partnerships aimed at finding treatments for immune-mediated diseases such arthritis and gastroenterology.1 The terms of the agreement is that there is a 50:50 split on costs and profits.1 Also UCB entitled to initial upfront, preclinical and clinical development milestone payments from Sanofi that could exceed the amount of 100 million euros.1 The arrangements of the partnership are not publicized. The purpose of the partnership is to gain new products for their product development pipeline, which keeps both companies to continue being attractive in the market. There is an advantages for both companies to use their competitive assets, resources, and network and understanding of their sales, but is the partnership a smart decision for UCB and if not is there a better option. Over the past years, the U.S. pharmaceutical industry R&D spending has increased at a rapid rate. Costs have been relatively stable in the preclinical phase, but have risen dramatically in the clinical phase both in terms of direct costs incurred and in time required to complete the trials.2 DiMasi reasoning for the increase in costs is from the focused development for chronic and degenerative conditions that require more costly studies for efficacy and larger clinical trial sizes.2 Some pharmaceutical companies found ways to fill their pipelines through: 1. mergers and acquisitions, 2. in-licensing new compounds, and 3. form strategic alliances and partnerships with other companies. Forming a partnership does help developing a product or drug... ... middle of paper ... ...erefore a justification for a higher prices for treatments because of the reduce cost of complications. Though the risk and cost will be focus on a smaller patient population which takes an effect on the volume sold. Biological-based drugs have longer periods of exclusivity, so the pharmaceutical companies can take advantage of the revenue of the drug and recoup the costs of R&D. Therefore, change in focus of treatment to large-molecule drugs is a more appealing option than a partnership. Partnerships are a great strategic action to fight challenges with innovation and R&D. However, the high rate of partnerships failures, brings a doubt if it is worth it. There are many strategic alternatives for UCB to take such as changing the focus of treatment to large-molecule drugs that will improve R&D productivity and are less risky in comparison of small-molecule drugs.

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