Life Sciences Industry Reaches Crossroad Say Noted Pillsbury...(r generic drug rivals to delay the intro...)

of discount alternative products after hard-won patents expire.

-- Proposed legislation strengthening the federal government's hand in

negotiating bulk prescription drug purchases for Medicare recipients is

provoking intense lobbying and alliance-building efforts in Washington.

-- Despite regulatory uncertainty and free-market risks, 2007 was a record

year for venture capital investments in the life sciences, with an

estimated $12 billion focused on medical devices, biotechnology and

pharmaceuticals.

"2008 is a year of opportunity and major decisions for both the industry's titans and newly-minted players," Wetherell said. "With venture-backed and acquisitive entities seeking the lead in a finite number of promising areas, researchers are weighing the best business plans and merits of partners and alliances."

Regulators and legislators likewise offer choices while seeking to address the industry's growth and national importance.

"Crafting life science policy is challenging for lawmakers because competing motives are often attributed to 'Big Pharma,' universities, federal agencies or specific constituencies in established biotech regions," Main added. "The community's growing and varied ranks, coupled with many Americans pushing for universal healthcare are requiring life science companies to carefully examine policy aims and outcomes while crafting the right engagements and alliances."

Pillsbury's National Life Sciences Practice Team is comprised of lawyers and senior advisors with years of experience and industry-specific credentials in pharmaceutical, biotechnology healthcare, and agriculture. Practice members include lawyers with Ph.D.s and other advanced degrees in such fields as microbiology, chemistry, cellular biology, biochemistry, molecular biology, and physics, and include former judicial law clerks from the Court of
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