1. In Vivo
  2. >>Business Strategy

Institutionalizing Externalization At Big Pharma – The Third Leg

The pharmaceutical industry has a hard time saying goodbye to strategic assets. In fact, it’s much more adept at welcoming new ones: diversification – either geographic or into areas beyond pure-play pharmaceuticals – has become commonplace. But pharma needs to overcome its entrenched resistance to asset externalization, which should become a critical third leg in its attempts to build long-term shareholder value. Strategic, almost biotech-like externalization strategies should move from a peripheral to a core part of pharma’s activities. Why haven’t they already been embraced?

The pharmaceutical industry has a hard time saying goodbye to strategic assets. In fact, it’s much more adept at welcoming new ones: diversification – either geographic or into areas beyond pure-play pharmaceuticals – has become commonplace, even among those longtime proponents of so-called white pills in Western markets strategies. Fixed asset de-scaling is in progress across the industry, to be sure, but this kind of infrastructure shrinkage is merely a long overdue realization that much of what pharma considered proprietary advantage has become commoditized.

But pharma needs to overcome its entrenched resistance to asset externalization, which should become a critical third leg in its...

Read the full article – start your free trial today!

Join thousands of industry professionals who rely on In Vivo 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 Business Strategy

Late-Stage GLP-1 Drug Trials Outside The Cardiometabolic Space

 
• By David Wild

A look at Novo Nordisk, Eli Lilly and other companies' late-stage clinical studies of GLP-1 drugs in indications ranging from neurodegeneration to oncology, and alcoholic liver disease to autoimmune conditions.

Rising Leaders 2025: Metsera’s Whit Bernard’s Musical Path To Biotech Leadership

 
• By David Wild

Metsera CEO Whit Bernard applies an unconventional leadership philosophy to develop next-generation obesity therapeutics, including monthly GLP-1 injections and oral peptides.

AI In Drug Discovery: The Patent Implications

 
• By David Wild

A Q&A with DeAnn Smith, partner and co-chair of the Patent Trial and Appeal Board Proceedings Practice Group at law firm Foley Hoag.

Is Advanced AI Revolutionizing Sales Enablement In Pharma?

 
• By Marina Hickson

Advanced AI is revolutionizing sales enablement by addressing training gaps and performance challenges. Used correctly, it can help to bridge the sales-marketing divide, accelerate ramp-up times and provide managers with data-driven insights.

More from In Vivo

Deals Shaping The Industry, May 2025

 
• By In Vivo Team

An interactive look at pharma, medtech and diagnostics deals made during May 2025. Data courtesy of Biomedtracker.

Podcast: Flagship’s Vision To Predict And Prevent Illness, With Raj Panjabi

 
• By David Wild

Flagship Pioneering senior partner Raj Panjabi discusses shifting health care from reactive treatment to AI-powered prediction and prevention of disease before symptoms emerge.

Rising Leaders 2025: Namrata Saroj On The Importance Of Authenticity In Ophthalmology

 
• By Sushmita Panda

Namrata Saroj, chief business officer of Ocular Therapeutix, is highly respected in the retina community for her contributions to drug development. She talked to In Vivo about her journey in ophthalmology, leadership philosophy and the importance of authenticity in a close-knit specialty.