Big Japanese Pharmas Unlikely To Replace Expiring Patents With M&As

Analysts believe the mergers-and-acquisitions drive of Japan's large drug makers is not likely to fill the void the companies face as their best-selling brands lose patent protection. Several Japanese pharmas have acquired foreign firms to help refill their dwindling portfolios, but analysts say that move is not likely to be enough to keep the companies from falling off what one said was a patent cliff. Drug makers in other countries have faced similar problems over the past 10 years, but this is the first time Japanese pharmas have faced the cliff. So far, Daiichi Sankyo is the only large maker that has not faced the loss of patent protection for a major drug. (Click here for more