Friday, January 23, 2009

Pfizer - Wyeth Merger - Is it a bad idea?

With all the talk about the proposed merger between Pfizer and Wyeth....I took the time to re-read an article from Fortune Magazine that I had saved on my computer. It was written in August 2007. You can read the article here.
Although some of the details and facts discussed in the article are dated [the article is 18 months old].....I wonder how many of you would agree with the author's conclusions. John Simons' closed his article by writing:

Pfizer could have an investor revolt on its hands if it does decide to propose a Wyeth acquisition. In recent years, top management has sworn off its appetite for big deals, promising a new focus on targeted acquisitions and alliances with smaller (read: more innovative) drugmakers and biotechs. Last winter, incoming CEO Jeff Kindler promised Pfizer would radically change the way it does business. That departure from the old way included a round of difficult cost cutting and "right-sizing" at the company. So, Pfizer needs to continue it's austerity campaign, and "oh yeah", in the meantime, conjure up some novel medicines.

The question is.....is John's assessment still correct in 2009....or is it time for Pfizer to do a deal?
Will this deal make Pfizer's problems go away?
What are your thoughts?...............

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

It's a desperation deal on the part of both companies. Neither company has a stellar pipeline, however, I'd say Wyeth is more innovative--for now. Once their scientists get absorbed into Pfizer--they're pfucked.