Caris & Co analyst David Moskowitz is calling for major consolidation in the industry, regardless of how painful the job cuts that produces may be.
"Particularly in these coming years with so many major products coming off patent, these are good years to do it," said Moskowitz, who forecasts that Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) will gobble up Schering-Plough Corp (SGP).
Deutsche Bank's Ryan agreed that Schering-Plough, as well as Bristol-Myers Squibb Co (BMY), are among the most likely acquisition targets as the industry downsizes.
"It's certainly possible to foresee that Merck & Co Inc (MRK) and Pfizer will be (U.S.) survivors and that many of the others probably will get merged into the biggest global players," Ryan said.
"Particularly in these coming years with so many major products coming off patent, these are good years to do it," said Moskowitz, who forecasts that Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) will gobble up Schering-Plough Corp (SGP).
Deutsche Bank's Ryan agreed that Schering-Plough, as well as Bristol-Myers Squibb Co (BMY), are among the most likely acquisition targets as the industry downsizes.
"It's certainly possible to foresee that Merck & Co Inc (MRK) and Pfizer will be (U.S.) survivors and that many of the others probably will get merged into the biggest global players," Ryan said.
