The hunter or the hunted

The great question for all drug discovery platform technology companies is whether they will be the hunters or the hunted - as the consolidators that absorb other companies' technologies, or as the targets of takeover.

The service company business model depends on partnerships and a continually growing customer base for an enabling technology product. In contrast to companies that develop pharmaceuticals, however, service providers have a limit on their potential market that may restrict their ability to remain independent - particularly in light of the continuing consolidation in the pharmaceutical sector...