New Rochelle, NY, January 10, 2011 — The mega-mergers of 2009 did not continue into 2010. While the three biggest acquisitions in 2009 each had a price tag of more than $40 billion, only last year’s top purchase got above that mark, according to an evaluation of reported deals conducted by Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology News (GEN) (http://www.genengnews.com/). The only other mega takeover for the year, sanofi-aventis’ move to buy Genzyme, is still being worked out.
A look at 2010’s buyouts that crossed the $1billion mark (http://www.genengnews.com/gen-news-highlights/acquisition-deals-in-2010-that-topped-1b/81244443/) reveals interesting similarities with major acquisitions from past years. Prior finalists make a repeat appearance, and most organizations that have reported consolidation say that the mergers have been positive.
“I think the uncertainty surrounding the sanofi-aventis/Genzyme story put a break on the number of large mergers and acquisitions that might actually have taken place,” says John Sterling, Editor in Chief of GEN. “Once that deal gets done, other big M&As are likely to follow.”
Novartis’ $41 billion purchase of Alcon, which has a significant portfolio of eye disease therapies, topped the list of acquisitions last year. Sanofi-aventis’ bid for Genzyme of $18.5 billion, which still has to clear, grabbed the number two spot. Merck’s foray into life science tools and services with its $5.2 billion acquisition of Millipore was next, followed by Teva paying 3.625 billion for ratiopharm to up its generic drug dominance.
Fifth place went to Astellas Pharma for picking up OSI Pharmaceuticals for $4 billion. Pfizer, 2009’s top bidder, made the number six spot with its takeover of King Pharmaceuticals for $3.6 billion. Other acquisition deals that crossed the billion-dollar mark included Grifols/Talecris, Celgene/Abraxis, Thermo Fisher Scientific/Dionex, and Johnson & Johnson/Crucell.
About GEN
Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology News (GEN) has retained its position as the number one biotech publisher around the globe since its launch in 1981. GEN publishes a print edition 21 times a year and has additional exclusive editorial content online, like news and analysis as well as blogs, podcasts, webinars, polls, videos, and application notes. Additionally, GEN hosts a networking platform called GENconnect, which comprises Communities such as All Things PCR, Next-Generation Sequencing, Biomarkers, and more. GEN’s unique news and technology focus includes the entire bioproduct life cycle from early-stage R&D, to applied research including omics, biomarkers, as well as diagnostics, to bioprocessing and commercialization. For more information visit the GEN website (http://www.genengnews.com/).
Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology News (http://www.genengnews.com/, which is published 21 times a year by Mary Ann Liebert Inc., is the most widely read biotechnology news magazine worldwide. It includes articles on Drug Discovery, Bioprocessing, OMICS, Biobusiness, and Translational Medicine.
