AstraZeneca to continue ambitious deal-making

AstraZeneca development director John Patterson put the spotlight on the importance of R&D during the FT Global Pharma and Biotech conference in London, but he made it clear that in-licensing would drive a swelling portion of the company's future drug work. Patterson estimated that in four years, 20 to 30 percent of the company's development portfolio will have been in-licensed. AstraZeneca has been hungry for new deals recently, buying Cambridge Antibody Technology and KuDOS. Patterson also noted that small biotechs looking to ink a licensing deal shouldn't have an unrealistic attitude about their options in a deal. That sounds distinctly like he's staking out a bargaining position with any would-be partners.

- read the AFX report on AstraZeneca