Similar is faster

Merck & Co. Inc., which traditionally has focused on small molecules, dipped its toe in the biologic waters in 2006 with its $400 million acquisition of GlycoFi Inc. At the time, Merck's plan was to use the biotech's yeast-based glyco-engineering technology to develop novel biologics. But after reviewing the market, the company revised its plans.

Merck now hopes to accelerate the monetization of the acquisition by using GlycoFi's technology to develop follow-on biologics. To that end, the pharma recently formed Merck BioVentures to develop FOBs, which should get products to market faster while the parent continues to build a pipeline of novel biologics...