The long-predicted wave of consolidation in the drug development industry could finally come rolling in this year, if the last two months are any indication, with Pfizer Inc. offering $68 billion for Wyeth, Merck & Co. Inc. merging with Schering-Plough Corp. in a $41.1 billion deal and Roche Holdings AG's $46.8 billion offer for the remaining minority stake of Genentech Inc.

Now that Roche Holdings AG and Genentech Inc. have (finally) reached a merger agreement, bringing an end to the hostile bidding and rampant speculation, industry observers are left to wonder what sort of ripple effect the deal might have on the overall biotech landscape. (BioWorld Today)

The acquisition everyone has expected since Roche Holdings AG first made an offer eight months ago finally looks to happen, as Genentech Inc. agreed to a takeover by its Swiss pharma partner in a deal valued at about $46.8 billion. (BioWorld Today)

Emerging patient safety concerns sent shares of Synta Pharmaceuticals Corp. and Amicus Therapeutics Inc. plunging Friday, as Synta halted development of its late-stage melanoma drug elesclomol due to a higher-than-expected death rate and Amicus suspended a Phase II trial of Pompe disease drug AT2220 after two patients suffered adverse events. (BioWorld Today)