GlaxoSmithKline takes aim at neurological symptoms of lysosomal storage diseases, increasing likely future competitive pressure on Sanofi's and Shire's rare disease products.

Sanofi-Aventis' much publicized pursuit - first hostile, then friendly - of Genzyme dominated biopharma news flow for more than half a year, with well timed information leaks and dramatic "he said, he said" commentary from the firms' CEOs. Such back and forth ensured continued high profile coverage until the companies officially affianced. But beyond the drama, the $20.1 billion deal, among the largest since the 2009 mega-mergers between Pfizer and Wyeth and Merck & Co. and Schering-Plough Corp., is worth discussion because it provides insight into what now drives big pharma dealmaking in the post-blockbuster era - and how companies want to pay for it.

Pfizer's ambitious tie-ups with multiple research institutions across several cities is but the latest model of academic-industry collaboration, highlighting pharma's ongoing hunger for fresh approaches to drug discovery.

The biopharmaceutical industry's perennial search for innovation continues to drive diverse alliance activity between commercial partners of all stripes. More recently, the macroeconomic climate has been impacting on dealmaker behaviour, with the emergence of risk aversion, creative thinking and more emphasis on value in partners' decision making. Many firms are rethinking their relationships with leading universities as part of broader strategies to boost innovation. Expect biopartnering models to reach a new level, says Pete Chan.