How Do Some of the Biggest Deals the Year Measure Up Against Regulatory Realities

Its fun to play Monday morning quarterback.

That is essentially what Roger Longman asked me to do at this year's Pharmaceutical Strategic Alliances conference: look at some of the biggest (and a few small but still interesting) deals in the biopharma sector over the past 18 months through the prism of changes taking place in Washington DC.

The big one, obviously, is the new FDA drug safety law. As you've figured out by now, we think this means big changes in what it takes to bring a product to market and to sell it successully.

But there's a lot else going on too: Medicare Part D is having an impact, and the Medicare agency is starting to assert itself. And then there is a growing sense that line-extensions don't fit well with regulators, payors or politicians.

So there is a lot to think about.

If you weren't at PSA, shame on you! But if you want you can still hear our take on some of these big deals. Click here. It's free.

And by all means, let us know what you think. The regulatory landscape is changing rapidly, and we certainly don't have all the answers. What are your perspectives?