Most Popular
-
1
Dongduk Women’s University halts coeducation talks
-
2
Defense ministry denies special treatment for BTS’ V amid phone use allegations
-
3
Russia sent 'anti-air' missiles to Pyongyang, Yoon's aide says
-
4
OpenAI in talks with Samsung to power AI features, report says
-
5
Two jailed for forcing disabled teens into prostitution
-
6
South Korean military plans to launch new division for future warfare
-
7
Trump picks ex-N. Korea policy official as his principal deputy national security adviser
-
8
Gold bars and cash bundles; authorities confiscate millions from tax dodgers
-
9
Kia EV9 GT marks world debut at LA Motor Show
-
10
Teen smoking, drinking decline, while mental health, dietary habits worsen
글로벌 제약사들이 경쟁력 강화를 위해 잇달아 굵직한 인수-합병(M&A)을 시도하고 있다. 여전히 복제약 제조에 열중하고 있는 한국 제약사들의 국제적 입지는 더욱 좁아질 것으로 예상된다.
올해 초 세계 최대 제약사인 미국의 화이자는 영국 2위 제약사인 아스트라제네카에 약 1000억달러 규모의 지분 인수를 제안했고 현재 관련 협상이 진행중인 것으로 알려졌다.
세계 2위 스위스의 노바티스도 이번주 영국 글락소스미스클라인의 항암제 사업을 145억달러에 인수하면서 백신사업을 52억달러에 매각하기로 했다.
이밖에 “보톡스”로 유명한 미국 앨러간 역시 사노피, 존슨앤존슨 등과 매각논의를 진행하는 등 전세계에서 다양한 M&A 움직임이 포착되고 있다.
혁신적인 제품만이 살아남을 수 있는 치열한 세계제약시장에서 다국적기업들은 유망한 기업들을 사들이거나 기존 사업분야의 전문성을 보다 강화하는 등 자구책 마련에 고심하는 모습이다.
반면 700여개 업체들이 난립해 있는 국내제약시장에서는 특별히 눈에 띄는 M&A시도가 없는 실정이다.
지난해 한독이 태평양제약을 575억원에 인수한 것이 최근 들어 가장 규모가 컸다. 한화케미칼도 제약사업부문인 드림파마의 매각을 공식 발표 했지만 아직까지 마땅한 인수자가 나타나고 있지 않다.
한 업계 관계자는 “국내제약사들은 신약계발보다는 제네릭 분야에 집중하고 있어 국내에서 M&A를 파트너를 찾는 것이 쉽지 않다”고 말했다.
특히 대기업들의 경우 선대부터 100년이 넘게 친분을 유지해왔기 때문에 이들간 적대적 인수합병은 사실상 불가능할 것이라는 것이 업계의 중론이다.
지난 1월 녹십자는 일동제약의 29.36%의 지분을 확보함으로써 최대주주가 됐다. 녹십자의 백신사업과 일동의 일반의약품부문의 긍정적인 시너지가 예상되지만 두 회사는 여전히 합병에 대해서는 부정적인 입장이다.
업계에서는 국내시장이 포화상태에 이르렀기 때문에 추가 M&A 시도는 중소기업들을 중심으로 계속될 것으로 예상한다. 이들이 대부분 복제약제조사들이라 국내보다는 국외에서 사업파트너를 찾을 것으로 보인다.
지난 2012년 미국의 알보젠은 근화제약을 인수했고 이스라엘의 테바는 한독제약과 합작회사를 설립한바 있다.
(코리아헤럴드 이지윤기자)
<관련 영문 기사>
Global deals to serve bitter dose to Korean drugmakers
Local firms likely to be reduced to generic producers amid a flurry of M&As in the global pharmaceutical market
Korean drug makers, the bulk of them producers of generic drugs, may lose their footing in the global market as multinational pharmaceutical giants are eagerly buying and selling businesses.
In April alone this year, pharmaceutical firms around the world announced $74 billion worth of merger and acquisition deals, some pending and others already fixed.
The figure includes the bid for Botox manufacturer Allergan, which is seen to be worth at least $45.6 billion, and deals between Novartis and GlaxoSmithKline. Pfizer proposed a takeover to AstraZeneca, a British firm specialized in cancer drugs, in January worth almost $100 billion.
More are likely to come, industry watchers said.
The M&A moves come as the firms are hoping to cope with lost revenues from patent expirations and the effects of cuts on health care spending.
Instead of pouring more money into developing new drugs that may or may not yield profit, companies appear to be opting to buy those that have already proven to be a success.
Less vigor in Korea
Back home in Korea, there are also several deals pending, but with much less vigor.
The biggest deal in recent months was Handok Pharma’s acquisition of Pacific Pharma, the pharmaceutical unit of the nation’s leading cosmetics maker AmorePacific, for 57.5 billion won ($54.5 million). In 2013, the two firms’ combined sales were just 400 billion won.
Hanwha Chemical also recently announced its intention to sell its stake in its drug-making unit Dreampharma Group to cut costs. But the firm, which specializes in psychotropic drugs related to diabetes, has yet to find a bidder.
“Deals among local firms are less attractive and less prone to synergy because most produce generic drugs with no specialty drugs to their names,” said one industry source, declining to be identified.
Further, they are also reluctant to undergo hostile bids because most are family-owned companies whose owners enjoy closely knit ties with one another, according to critics.
The few exceptions include the January deal when Green Cross secured a 29.36 percent stake in Ildong Pharma to become the largest shareholder.
Green Cross specializes in vaccine production while Ildong is mostly into over-the-counter drugs such as its popular vitamin supplement Aronamin.
Industry watchers talked of a synergy effect, but Green Cross seemed to be more concerned about its image, and at the time had denied that it would be taking over Ildong or any other pharmaceutical company.
“If Green Cross tries to completely take over a firm, it would be branded as a traitor to the industry,” said another source.
Despite the problems, it seems inevitable for smaller drug makers to seek merger and acquisition opportunities to survive in the saturated Korean market that is currently jostled by up to 700 players.
They may now look beyond Korea to search for foreign partners, who may help pave the way to international markets, industry watchers say.
As some cases in point, in 2012, Alvogen acquired Korea’s Kunwha Pharmaceutical, while Teva, a global generic drug maker, established a joint venture with Handok in the same year.
By Lee Ji-yoon (jylee@heraldcorp.com)
