ImClone's cancer pipeline big attraction for bidders

Why the bidding war for ImClone, considering that Erbitux [1] has failed to live up to its early billing? BusinessWeek concludes that the answer lies in ImClone's oncology pipeline. After Big Pharma companies turned their backs on cancer development, the biotechs took control of the field. Now Big Pharma wants back in, attracted by the relatively low costs associated with marketing new cancer drugs along with the potential for big returns.

ImClone has been advancing a successor to Erbitux, but the analysts seem to be primarily intrigued by the late-stage IMC-1121B, which works much like Avastin in starving tumors by attacking the blood vessels that feed them. IMC-1121B is in Phase III for breast cancer and in a mid-stage trial for melanoma, kidney and liver cancers.

It all looks very promising, especially if you're looking for a new way to make up for some fading blockbusters.

- read the article [2] from BusinessWeek

ALSO: The Financial Times also notes that pharma's push into the biotech field has stirred rumors that a variety of drug companies could wind up making a play for ImClone. Report [3]

Related Articles:
Lilly in 'advanced talks' to buy ImClone [4]
Merck KGaA eyes ImClone, but isn't mystery bidder [5]
ImClone rejects BMS's higher bid [6]
BMS fires off $62 offer as it battles for ImClone [7]
ImClone buyout could founder over drug dispute [8]
Analysts: BMS lowballing ImClone [9]