Live from BIO: Biopharmas talk partnerships

Health and Human Services Secretary Michael Leavitt was on hand this morning to talk about the brave new world of personalized, patient-centered medicine. This is a world where "the glittering possibilities are already there:" genetic tests to match people to medicines, faster trials to pour out new products and computer chips and other technologies to revolutionize healthcare. And the FDA is being presented as a willing partner, encouraging innovation and pushing the Critical Path Initiative to remap the regulatory process. In the meantime, the industry grappled with the downward trend in new drug approvals, weak pipelines at big pharma companies and a changing regulatory field.

Interestingly, though, some of the bigger biopharma players are here to talk about new partnerships. Wyeth and Roche have both been striking new licensing deals that match their deep pockets with the breakthrough science of companies like Trubion, a company we recognized at last night's Fierce 15 party. The fourth annual Fierce 15 went out this morning in a special report. Don't miss it. - John