Patent cliffhanger: will China biotech throw Big Pharma a lifeline?

The dynamics are well understood in an industry where a handful of blockbusters can underwrite years of costly research and where patents may run 20 years on paper, but far less in practice once years of development are taken into account.Pfizer is not alone. Biopharma multinational Bristol Myers Squibb (BMS) chief executive Chris Boerner also warned of a "stacking effect" as multiple drugs lose protection in quick succession."There is clearly a loss of exclusivity wave coming," Bourla said. "This will cost ...