Agreements between
biotechnology companies account for the greatest number of publicly announced
strategic alliances between January 1, 2000 and June 30, 2002 with 651
(30.1%). Alliances between integrated pharmaceutical and biotechnology
companies accounted for a further 548 (25.3%) agreements. Over time the number
of agreements between pharmaceutical companies and between pharmaceutical and
biotechnology companies have remained fairly constant. The number of
agreements between pharmaceutical companies peaked in quarter 3, 2000 leading
up to the SmithKline Beecham/Glaxo Wellcome merger, while the number of
agreements between pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies reached peaks in
quarter 1 2001 and quarter 4 2001.
The greatest growth
in alliances by company type in the 21st century is found in
agreements between biotechnology companies with a peak of 87 (34.3%). This
follows significant evolution within the biotechnology sector whereby
companies have reached critical mass and are able to survive without the
significant resources and funding of integrated pharmaceutical companies. The
number of alliances involving drug delivery specialist companies has also
grown over the period accounting for 34 (13.4%) agreements in quarter 2 2002.
Alliances
by company type, 2000Q1-2002Q2
Of the 622
strategic alliances publicly announced between July 1, 2001 and June 30 2002
specifying therapy areas 183 agreements involved oncology. This was followed
by infectious & viral diseases with 111 agreements, central nervous system
with 87 agreements and diagnostics with 86 agreements.
Key
therapy areas, 2001Q3-2002Q2
Other
key therapy areas included cardiovascular with 60 agreements, musculoskeletal
& inflammation with 41 agreements, metabolic with 39 agreements, vaccines
with 39 agreements and equipment & devices with 32 agreements.
Independent Strategic Decision
Analysis 
