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 attempts to build long-term shareholder value. Strategic, almost biotech-like externalization...

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

More from Business Strategy

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

 
• By 

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 

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 

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 

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

AI In Health Delivery: Patients Most Confident When HCPs Are In Charge

 
• By 

Annual survey of patients and professionals shows how attitudes to health system transformation are evolving and what stakeholders are demanding as acceptance of AI tools accelerates.

Medtech Innovators Court London-Based Investors At BioWales 2025

 
• By 

BioWales in London 2025 showcased the efforts healthtech innovators are making to meet investors on their own turf, illustrating changing attitudes and evolving needs.

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

 
• By 

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