BioCentury
ARTICLE | Strategy

Acquiring markets

May 9, 2005 7:00 AM UTC

When French drug discovery play ProSkelia SA and U.K. specialty pharma Strakan Group Ltd. merged last year to form ProStrakan Group Ltd., one of the newco's first goals was to extend its reach in European markets, in part to become an attractive partner for U.S. biotech companies seeking access to those markets. Last week, the company announced its third deal - the acquisition of APS Pharma GmbH - designed to give it sales and marketing clout across the continent. Its next step will be to acquire an Italian sales and marketing play.

ProStrakan (Galashiels, U.K.) has two dozen marketed products, eight in development and several in research. The company is not yet profitable but believes that the added European sales and marketing reach will boost sales and provide a launchpad for further products. ...