Ariad Pharmaceuticals Inc fka ARIA

[glass_half_full]

Does NVS need ARIA?

If your idea is that NVS faces a drop-off in revenue, that doesn't really support an ARIA buy-out. ARIA doesn't have demonstrated revenue streams.

(I think you're referring to a deal like the Pfizer/Warner-Lambert hostile take over.)

What we are looking for is a suitor who has weakness in its R&D system. An example of this would be Merck, which slashed a huge, gaping hole in its lab staff during the downturn.

I don't know whether they have re-built, but adding a functioning molecule development team could make sense. Whether Merck and HB are on speaking terms after the $60 million bath that Merch took on Rida is an open question.

Also, I've thought it interesting that of all the recent buy-out rumors (OK, both the recent rumors), Pfizer has not been mentioned at all. Pfizer has, IMHO, been conspicuous in its absence -- especially after the monster NVS/GSK/ELY deal.