Pharmaceutical companies are currently facing serious problems such as revenue gaps from patent expiry and scarcely populated product pipelines in spite of a steady increase in R&D expenditures. Thus, the number of FDA-approved new molecular entities per year has contracted by nearly 50% during the past 15 years. At the same time, venture capital firms have been reducing their investments in small yet innovative biotechnology companies to an alarmingly low rate. In consequence, the closure of licensing deals is a highly interesting strategy to resolve both groups’ issues as conclusively demonstrated by the strongly growing value of global licensing deals.

In the past, the topic of biomarkers has been treated as an upcoming trend. Today, the use of biomarker-based diagnostics is encouraged or even required for an increasing amount of drugs. In fact, the global biomarker market is forecasted to have a growth rate of over 20% for the use of innovative diagnostics or pharmaceutical research. This publication contains background information and examples based on the aggressive prognosis. The publication provides a summary of the market segments, technologies, essential definitions and prominent market members. In addition, Novumed publishes results of a study dealing with the important bio banks, which are gaining in importance for the development and validation of biomarkers.

Facing ever increasing volatility, industry groups from various sectors seek stability in the medical technology field which explains the high prices paid in acquisitions. High margins can be achieved, especially with a leading technological position. In comparison to the pharmaceutical industry, the relatively low regulatory barriers of the medtech industry make it a very attractive segment for expansion. To successfully enter this market the major trends and developments towards proof of efficacy and cost reduction need to be part of strategic considerations. In this publication Novumed provides a good overview of important market segments, market sizes and growth drivers. It further gives an introduction to regulatory challenges, important trends and recent M&A deals.

India, a nation of striking diversity, vast ambitions, and an even vaster manpower resource, is on the fast track to becoming a global economic superpower. Recent census data depict a population growth of 17.64% between 2001 and 2011, and India is projected to be the world?s most populous country by 2025. With 1.25 billion people, India represents 17.5% of the world population as the 2nd most populated country in 2011.

The blockbuster strategy of the pharmaceutical industry is challenged. The pharmaceutical industry has historically been spoiled by two-digit annual growth rates of around 11%. This trend ended in 2002, and according to market research data, the annual growth since then has decreased steadily to a mere 4% in 2010 over 2009. The impressive growth rates in the past were achieved by the industry's focus on blockbuster drugs, medicines that generate at least US$ 1 billion in annual sales.