Prospecting for next goldmine; With fewer acquisition targets, Pfizer grapples with lack of new blockbusters.(Pfizer Report)

Advertising Age, November, 2004

Byline: RICH THOMASELLI

Much has been made of Pfizer's penchant for acquiring other pharmaceutical marketers with strong brands or potential blockbusters in the pipeline.

But as the opportunities for further pharma acquisitions or mergers begin to dwindle, Pfizer must now look to its own pipeline.

Especially now: The drug company is looking at a reduction of more than $5 billion in annual sales over the next year when Neurontin, Diflucan, Zithromax and Accupril come off patent protection.

Sluggish research and development has been an industrywide problem in recent years. ...