Big Pharma and the fickle winds

While we wait for trials to complete and postulate on the possibility, timing and value of a partnership deal, a number of global pharma groups have been slamming the brakes on certain sections of their R&D pipelines and ditching  a bunch of partnerships they paid big up-front money to secure.

On Tuesday, Lilly announced it will excise 60% of their midstage oncology R&D pipeline, including 6 Phase 2 candidates. "The company has or will seek external partners on the other molecules in clinical development as appropriate"
http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/lilly-reports-second-quarter-results-300493447.html

On Wednesday, GSK decided to take a similar approach... "so far made decisions to terminate, partner or divest more than 30 pre-clinical and clinical programmes. " Surely that's going to break a few hearts..
http://www.londonstockexchange.com/exchange/news/market-news/market-news-detail/GSK/13308103.html

And just today, much-troubled-but-still-raking-in-orphan-$$$ Alexion announced they were "redefining the Company’s R&D strategy"   and terminating partnerships with Moderna, Arbutus and Blueprint, to whom they paid $100m, $33m and $15m upfront.
http://news.alexionpharma.com/press...s/alexion-reports-second-quarter-2017-results

So while all that glitters (and is transferred into bank accounts) may look and feel like gold, sometimes with big pharma there is a lead-balloon lining some of the deals they sign up for.  

Just in case you weren't feeling gloomy enough!