All my previous posts have been related to the market and financial aspects of the pharma and biotech industry. In this post, I am focusing on the human resources aspects and why Biotech is different. Biotech can be categorised as large biotech or big pharma (Novartis, Amgen, Biotech, Celgene and the like) and smaller biotech…… Continue reading How to address challenges in Biotech start-up recruitment
Category: Post
Portfolio Management and COVID-19: Market Signals, Biotech, and the S&P 500
Few years back, I wrote a post where I constructed the efficient frontier curve based on a combination of 2 assets: biotech stocks (large cap and mid cap) and US treasury bills (see here). The sample included the returns of the two asset types between the period June 2007 – December 2016. In this updated…… Continue reading Portfolio Management and COVID-19: Market Signals, Biotech, and the S&P 500
The Mathematics of Venture Capital Returns
How do VCs estimate their return on investment? There have been various studies which have produced varying results due to the different nature of VCs in terms of location, industry focus, fund size, preferred financing stage and team experience. In this post, I have developed a quick, simple, one staged model that determines the minimum…… Continue reading The Mathematics of Venture Capital Returns
Implantable biolectronics: The future of biomedicine?
Over recent years, biotechnology has uncovered new horizons in transforming patients’ lives. Insulin was the first biologic drug and was approved in 1982. Currently, the biotech market is valued at ~$100bn demonstrating explosive growth the past few decades. Now biotech has come to an era of gene therapy, personalised medicine, stem cell therapies and digital…… Continue reading Implantable biolectronics: The future of biomedicine?
Is the Celgene / Amgen deal for Otezla fair?
Celgene recently disposed Otezla indicated for the treatment of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis to Amgen in $13.4bn deal. Therefore, the question that is raised at this point is whether the deal was good for both companies strategically and financially. From a strategic perspective it will provide Amgen with rights of a blockbuster drug with growing…… Continue reading Is the Celgene / Amgen deal for Otezla fair?
Biotech rNPV Valuation using Monte Carlo simulation – A simple approach
The methodology for valuing biotech products using the risk-adjusted NPV (‘rNPV’) approach has been well established. The concept behind the rNPV method is taking into account the risk of success / failure in clinical trials for clinical development products. In this way, companies can prioritise their portfolio based on the expected value of each product.…… Continue reading Biotech rNPV Valuation using Monte Carlo simulation – A simple approach
Is Novartis leading the way in pharma R&D restructuring?
Big pharma companies have undoubtedly been suffering from low R&D productivity pushing them to revise their business strategy. Although inorganic R&D strategies through M&A and in-licensing deals have boosted big pharma’s late stage pipeline, a viable organic R&D model to secure long-term survival is paramount. Novartis is a bright example of a big pharma company…… Continue reading Is Novartis leading the way in pharma R&D restructuring?
Can U.S. Drug Prices be Justified? A U.S. vs. E.U. Comparison
Regulators and payers have raised major concerns over recent spikes in drug prices. Unjustified high drug prices (see Valeant case) have triggered not only political comments from U.S. presidential candidates in the previous U.S. elections (see Hillary Clinton’s statement) but also a broader discussion on how drug prices can be regulated and whether the European drug pricing model…… Continue reading Can U.S. Drug Prices be Justified? A U.S. vs. E.U. Comparison
A Simple Licensing Deal Model for your Biotech Start-Up
You can find my simple model for your use below: licensing-deal-model_ Drawing on past licensing deals in the biotech space, one can see a major shift in licensing deals strategy. Big pharma is placing large bets on early-stage assets that could potentially provide pharma with long-term growth. A major challenge that licensors and licensees face…… Continue reading A Simple Licensing Deal Model for your Biotech Start-Up
Modern Portfolio Theory: Does it Work for Biotech?
Modern Portfolio Theory suggests that every portfolio has its risk and its corresponding rate of return. Markowitz (1952) showed that there is no “best investment” but rather a “best” trade-off between risk and return, called efficient frontier theory. This theory is based on a critical assumption: the risk and return profile of an asset or portfolio when constructed,…… Continue reading Modern Portfolio Theory: Does it Work for Biotech?
Winners and Losers in Pharma / Biotech Mergers and Acquisitions: Biogen Shines Again
Pharma / Biotech is one of the most M&A intensive industries. Over a period of approximately 20 years, the industry has spent over USD 1.4 trillion in pharma / biotech acquisitions (excl. generics, OTC, Animal Health, CROs and CMOs acquisitions). The aim of this analysis is to assess which of the acquirers have really gained from…… Continue reading Winners and Losers in Pharma / Biotech Mergers and Acquisitions: Biogen Shines Again
Brand Valuation of OTC Pharmaceutical Businesses
Brand valuation is a major part of business valuation in certain industries such as food & beverage and consumer home products. For example, Coca-Cola’s brand value is estimated at USD 73 bn. (see here), accounting for 40% of Coca-Cola’s current market capitalization. But how does brand valuation apply in the context of pharmaceuticals? In theory, a…… Continue reading Brand Valuation of OTC Pharmaceutical Businesses
Biostrategy Analytics 