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In attempting to seize the biotech Genzyme, Sanofi-Aventis hopes to enter a segment long ignored by major pharmaceutical companies, one of rare diseases.

It would appear that the giants of the industry think that investing in this field can be a good way to increase margins, complete the range of products and at least partially offset the impact of competition from generic.

Pfizer and GlaxoSmithKline have already tried the adventure but the offer from Sanofi on Genzyme – which could turn around 14.3 billion euros – would be by far the most advanced.

Genzyme is the world leader in treatments for rare diseases.He realized in 2009 a turnover of around 4.5 billion dollars from drug dealing rare inherited disorders such as Gaucher and Fabry disease.

"Genzyme has demonstrated to all that the market for rare diseases can be quite profitable," said Gary Pisano, a professor at Harvard Business School and a specialist in biotechnology.

These drugs for rare diseases, so-called "orphan" can reach astronomical prices and yet are rarely rejected by insurance companies.Cerezyme, blockbuster treating Gaucher disease developed by Genzyme, is an annual treatment cost of over $ 200,000.

This is one of the drugs most expensive in the world and represented the last year a turnover of 1.2 billion dollars.

NEW PERSPECTIVES

They are new opportunities opening up for big pharmaceutical companies that are themselves, most often, little to offer in terms of experimental medicines.

"The era of 'blockbuster' seems gone," says Kevin Gorman (Putnam Associates). "In rare diseases needs to look far the greatest."

Gaucher disease and Fabry disease are characterized by an enzyme deficiency that can cause irreparable damage or even lethal to the organs.Treating such diseases is not accessible to all laboratories and even the big pharmaceutical companies are not equipped to start from scratch in this field.

Design in this field of rare diseases, clinical trials, control of complex manufacturing processes and finally market drugs in highly targeted markets, this requires a special skill mastery that Genzyme to perfection.

Yet, one case of infection occurred at the site last year Genzyme Allston Landing in Boston, led to a shortage of two key drugs and led to a sharp drop in results and a diving action.

Sanofi hopes to capitalize on woes Genzyme to buy cheap.It offers 69 dollars per share, according to sources familiar with the matter, much less than the $ 80 where work is changing before disorders occur manufacturing end of 2008.

According to sources, it is unlikely that Genzyme accepts less than 80 dollars per share. This can be explained by the fact that Genzyme is an asset as rare as the diseases it treats.

It is not likely to be subject to generic competition soon.It has also more than 20 years of experience in the relationship with patient groups in the organization of clinical trials and reimbursement management and regulatory issues.

NOT EASY TO COPY

"The reasons why large groups are eyeing this segment reduced threat of generic products, products that can be expanded to other areas and prices," said Dominic Valder, an analyst at Evolution Securities.

Traditionally, the big pharmaceutical companies focus on drugs prescribed by GPs in a large population of patients with chronic conditions like diabetes, depression, ulcers or cholesterol is too high.

These medicines are made from molecules that can easily replicate génériquiers.

The biotech drugs are on the contrary from protein complex. They are prescribed by specialists for patients in small numbers. They are not easy to copy.

Some heavyweights pharmacy try their luck but so timidly.For Patrick Vallance, head of research at Glaxo, the strategy aims to improve the returns to research and development focusing on areas where the probability of success are greatest.

Glaxo has taken a stake in the Japanese and JCR Pharmaceuticals has entered into an alliance with privately held Prosensa, leading to the launch of a Phase III clinical trial in the second half and bearing on Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

Pfizer has acquired worldwide rights to an experimental treatment for Gaucher disease developed by Protalix BioTherapeutics, which if approved, would compete with Genzyme's Cerezyme.

The International Monetary Fund forecasts growth of 1.4% in France this year, as the government, but is more cautious thereafter, and questions whether the government deficit back below 3% of GDP before 2015.

In its annual report on France on Friday, the IMF welcomed the "ambitious reform program" implemented by the authorities, welcomed the "major reform" of pensions and notes that French banks are strong, as the Recent tests have shown the organized resistance in the European Union.

But he stressed the risks to future growth, although France has fared better than its neighbors to the recession, and recommends giving priority to a "substantial and credible rebalancing" of public finances.

After a contraction of 2.5% in 2009, the institution sees gross domestic product of France grow 1.4% this year – the same prediction that the government – and by 1.6% in 2011, 1.8 % in 2012 and 2.0% in 2013.

These estimates are similar to those published in the April World Economic Outlook of the IMF, while those on the deficit is more optimistic.

After 7.5% in 2009 and 8.0% in 2010 (again forecasting government), the deficit would decrease to 6.1% of GDP in 2011.In April the IMF was around 7%.

"This is the result of a conference on fiscal deficits in July and pension reform in June," Harris says one in Bercy where we judge the IMF and Paris "on the same wavelength" .

"It's a good report of the IMF for economic policy the government," says one.

IMF WANTS THE ASSUMPTIONS OF "REALISTIC"

However, the IMF is the deficit to 3.9% of GDP in 2013 and, according to his script, is that in 2015 he would return below the 3% limit set by the Maastricht Treaty.

The stability program of France plans to achieve the 3% deficit in 2013, subject to a growth of 2.5% from next year.

"To make the effort of more credible, it is important to establish the framework for budgetary planning on realistic macroeconomic assumptions," the IMF in his notes, echoing criticism by the European Commission issued in March when he was sent to the stability program.

During a conference call, one of the reviewers, Erik de Vrij, however relativized this message indicating that the deficit target reduced to 3% in 2013 could be achieved if the pension reform is completed.

"By including the pension reform, there is a good chance of reaching 3% deficit by 2013," he said.

Published annually after the visit of a mission, the IMF notes is rather complimentary to the government's economic policy but calls for greater efforts on reforms and fiscal consolidation.

"A fragile recovery is underway in France," it said.

Her limited exposure to international trade, the existence of a strong enough financial sector, the importance of social safety nets and measures to relaunch "well designed" have enabled France to resist the global crisis that most comparable countries, the IMF noted.

But, he adds, 'the characteristics of the French economy, which have protected partly during the recession are also those who probably will slow the recovery.

"PUSHED MORE INITIATIVES"

The unemployment rate of 9.5% in 2009 to reach 10.0% on average this year and peaking at 10.1% in 2011, before easing to 9.7% in 2012 and 9.2% in 2013 according to the IMF.

At the same time, public debt would reach 84.3 in 2010% of GDP against 78.1% in 2009 and would continue to deteriorate until 2013, when this ratio reach 90.3%.

"The imminent consolidation of public finances in France and most European countries will weigh on demand, and concerns that continue to generate sovereign risk require continued vigilance," said the Fund, requesting the authorities to "implement with their energy reform program to support the recovery. "

On the fiscal consolidation policy, the IMF considers that the measures already announced on revenues and expenditures are "large" but said that "further efforts are needed at all levels of government to achieve fiscal consolidation is the medium term ".

The institution also delivers a good report on the reform of banking regulation, acknowledging in particular the establishment of the supervisory authority which has for the month of March all supervisors and approval of the bank and insurance in France.

The U.S. stock markets opened on a negative note Friday as investors show some nervousness before the publication of the results of resistance testing taxed at 91 European banks.

A few minutes after the start of trading, the Dow Jones yielded 0.28% to 10,293.16 points, the Standard & Poor's 500 index 0.44% to 1088.89 points and the Nasdaq Composite 0.51% to 2234.45 points.

Losses are limited by satisfactory business results and publication of European statistics reassuring, especially in Great Britain and Germany.

Microsoft and Ford have published better than expected, the reaction of titles respectively 0.23% and 3.31%.

In contrast, the Citigroup opens down 1.71% to 4.02 dollars, the U.S. Treasury prepares to sell 1.5 billion shares to reduce state participation in the U.S. bank, gained during the rescue group.

Fiat announced Friday it would invest 700 million euros to produce the Panda in its factory near Naples Pomigliano after a landmark agreement with unions.

The decision to relocate production in Italy of the best-selling small car in Europe, built up in Poland, has been a while appear compromised because only 62% of factory workers in Naples had voted in favor of the plan Fiat, which also includes a significant change in working conditions.

The agreement gives Fiat more flexibility regarding the fees, limits the number of strikes and sick-leave.

It is part of an investment program of Fiat to eight billion euros until 2011 which is designed to make the group more efficient and competitive in a market that has experienced a severe crisis.

Fiat has finally decided to pursue his project after meeting with the four unions that support the project, FIM, UILM, Fismic and UGL.

Fiom, only union opposed the agreement, said it will help the government dismantle the labor law.

The union's national coordinator, Enzo Masini, said the union would consider a lawsuit for infringement of the rights of employees.

The Secretary General of the UILM Palombella Rocco told Reuters: "We hope the employees who voted against the plan will realize that the investment is important and it is in their own interest."

The Fiat Chief Executive Sergio Marchionne has written a four-page letter to convince employees.

"What we're doing is (…) to use all possible means to save the work, even work on which the Italian Republic is founded," says the boss of the group.

He added that his entire strategy for Italy depends on the agreement at Pomigliano.

The government of Silvio Berlusconi welcomed the announcement of Fiat.

The plant in Naples, which employs 5,000 people, shows the lowest productivity of the five Italian factories of Fiat. It is lower than that of the Polish site, which, with just over 6,000 workers, produced 600,000 cars per year.

Bourbon has unveiled a new plan for the period 2011-2015 which includes the sale of its fleet of 16 bulk carriers and other non-core assets for a total of 500 million Euros.

The specialist maritime services to the offshore oil announced in a press release that it has signed an agreement to sell its Bulk with the American Genco Shipping & Trading Ltd for 545 million dollars (440 million euros).

As part of its strategic plan, Bourbon also wishes to invest two billion dollars (1.62 billion euros) in the construction of 80 supply vessels and 64 vessels transporting personnel to operate in 2015 a fleet 600 vessels dedicated logistics services in the continental offshore and deep offshore.

The offshore fleet amounted to 357 ships by end of 2009 and 99 are now in command in the context of its previous strategic plan.

"The bulk current activity will continue to a lesser extent and without the contribution of a fleet that is owned," said the CEO of Bourbon, Jacques de Chateauvieux, during a conference call."This is not disturbed our ability to meet the expectations of our customers."

Jacques de Chateauvieux has also indicated that the sugar activities of Bourbon in Vietnam, among other things, would be sold in addition to bulk carriers.

Apart from sales, financing the new investment program will be provided by changing the payment terms of vessels during construction, 75% of the price now being paid on delivery, as well as a 12-year loan of 400 million dollars granted by the China Exim Bank.

CASH FLOWS FROM POSITIVE in 2013

"The combined effect of generating cash flow from operations, disposal of assets in 2010 and the new payment policy should allow vessels a ratio of debt to equity of less than 0.5 and a ratio net debt / EBITDA of less than 2 by 2015.Bourbon and generate positive cash flow from 2013 onwards, "added the company.

Bourbon also said that its dividend policy would be to distribute approximately 40% of its consolidated net income.

After an average growth of 28% of the activity of its offshore division between 2002 and 2009, the new plan Bourbon displays a target of 17% average annual growth between 2011 and 2015.

The company is also concentrating on increasing the availability rate of the fleet with a goal of 95% against 92% today, and a decline in the index of its operational costs by 4% rate constant 2015.

Bourbon is also a ratio for 2015 gross operating profit (EBITDA) on revenues of 45% for offshore and an EBITDA ratio on capital employed of 20%.

It plans to recruit 5,000 people who join its 7,000 employees.

Marc Touati, Associate Director of Global Equities

This topic is more socially and economically. In the current crisis, it is even very controversial, very "dangerous". We must therefore take tweezers in the formulation of the analysis to avoid offending the spell …

I. The model of solidarity to the French: the world's best

Originally the solidarity model, also called French social model may appear as the best in the world. Its basic principle is: high public spending and high tax burdens, but in exchange, through redistribution, greater solidarity and hence less inequality, less unemployment, less poverty and more comfort- be economic.

II.This model of solidarity no longer works

Unfortunately, the past ten years, this model is disintegrating, to the extent that public expenditures increase more and more (56% of French GDP in 2009), the tax burden is among the highest in the world. Despite this extravagant strategy, growth, structural decline, unemployment is around 10% sustainable, poverty rate increases (14% of French people living below the poverty line), including the widening inequalities in income and health and funding of the retirement pay is more assured. So the French model of solidarity is more effective.

Conclusion: how to find a more effective model

This is where the controversy settled: that it must also increase public spending and taxes.If this solution is certainly easier, it is not credible: it no longer works for 20 years and is a runaway. We must therefore stop veiling the face: the only way to make solidarity in France resides in the ability of the latter to the high growth. To achieve this, we must reduce the tax burden for all, make it as fairer, while lowering the inefficient public spending, including operating expenses.

Jean Paul Betbeze, director of studies of the Credit Agricole

Introduction: The word solidarity is one of the most important part of our vocabulary, one of the most sensitive too, because it is at the crossroads between economic and social. He asked how "to society", that is to say, how to combine growth, efficiency, distribution, justice.The issue of solidarity is today more acute because the growth is not at the rendezvous. This leads to questions about growth (innovation, the company …) and the terms of the distribution of wealth, with the idea that certain expenses, sometimes called Solidarity, were too high and / or have not contributed to growth, as might have been expected.

I. The French social model, an exception

Solidarity meeting in fact a set of situations. For one third of expenditure, are shocks that have affected people, health first, another third are economic shocks, mainly unemployment and its consequences for a third and third is the evolution costs associated with aging. Shock people, economic shock and the shock of aging are the sources of expenditure solidarity.We must study their rationale, their legitimacy and, where possible, their effectiveness. Looking in effect say that young people can not but be struck by the solidarity they restricted themselves to considering. The family, themselves and their friends and cronies. Altogether, they and their entourage. This sends the idea, positively, that the best solidarity begins at home and his family (training, job search and lifestyle), but also that state support, social activities are increasingly counted in First the conditions of retirement and old age support. Truth and realism.

II. There can be no solidarity without growth

So we must find ways to live together solidarity and growth, after some excesses were committed and at the inability to continue as before.It can therefore be, in any event, solidarity without legitimacy, without transparency, without verification. That is no explanation for it, without penalty to the excesses or misrepresentation and – increasingly – without education, training, to avoid any shocks. Economic solidarity corresponds to the current difficulties of the job. Unemployment is the brand, but also retirement (since the nonworking are partly taken into account). But support to individual entrepreneurs (with tax benefits) are also a de facto solidarity. A total of solidarity that we measure is often posterior to the problem, it must be proactive. It must be less than a correction, compensation of a preparation: training throughout life support mobility.Solidarity in the event of sickness is also essential, but it can not avoid the growing support in people themselves. Lifestyle, sports, medical conditions are independent of a reduction of medical risk and provide an old age happier, longer and less dependent on solidarity.

Conclusion: Overall, we must squarely address the solidarity at the intersection of economics and welfare, by making clearer the economy (transparency, fairness, efficiency), the general benefit of society.

The action marked rise in BP was Monday at the London Stock Exchange, the oil group has ensured that the containment dome set up the leaking wells in the Gulf of Mexico allowed to siphon off most of the oil 's them escape.

The UK has added a new capture system, to recover most of the dispersed oil would be ready in mid-JuneIt also revised upwards the cost of cleaning the oil spill, now the order of billions of dollars.

Action BP gained 2.7% to 445 pence at 11:18 AM.

BP said Sunday that the dome had helped siphon off the equivalent of 10,500 barrels Saturday, while the leak is estimated between 12,000 and 19,000 barrels per day.

"Finally we see some positive news for BP," said Peter Hitchens, oil analyst for Panmure Gordon.

Another analyst said that if BP is able to recover most of the oil in the coming month and a half, he will have less difficulty in avoiding a fall in the first quarter dividend.This decrease is claimed by some U.S. politicians.

The oil company also said that there was no change in its policy of exploration and production as a result of the spill.

"The exploration and production activity is a long term one must first make all investigations and draw all the lessons," said Clive Christison, one of the leaders of BP.

The U.S. stock markets opened Monday with no real direction, oscillating between higher and lower, the announcement of a rise in industrial orders in Germany in April was not enough to allay fears about the financial difficulties of Hungary.

Rising in the very first exchanges, the Dow Jones 0.14% yielded a few minutes later at 9917.84 points, the Standard & Poor's 500 index 0.14% to 1063.37 points and the Nasdaq Composite 0.27% to 2213.23 points.

In the wake of the Asian and European stock exchanges, markets always react negatively to the budget problems of Hungary after a government spokesman said Friday that the country was unlikely to escape a crisis comparable to that experienced by Greece.

Hungary will have to cut spending by about one to 1.5% of its gross domestic product (GDP) to fulfill the goals set by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the European Union (EU) this year but the Countries must also revive growth, said Monday the Minister of Economy.

Through several interventions aimed at calming investor fears, Gyorgy Matolcsy said that Hungary will stick to its objective of a fiscal deficit of 3.8% of GDP.

Speaking on CNBC, the Hungarian Minister of Economy said that there had been a number of failures in communication last week and added: "It is absolutely clear that Hungary is not Greece" .

On Saturday, the Hungarian government had already said to stick to its target of 3.8% deficit to GDP ratio in 2010 and was then considered "exaggerated" the official statements that had contributed to a downturn on the eve of Scholarships and a weaker euro.

"We will stick at 3.8% budget deficit this year, it was agreed with the IMF and the EU and accepted by the government and there is no doubt about it, we will stick to this figure "said Gyorgy Matolcsy.

"On the one hand, it is clear that austerity plan was not necessary. On the other hand, no recovery plan for the budget is considered.We will reduce budgetary spending and we will increase revenues and is the action plan of the new government. "

He also reiterated the government's plans for a tax cut, which does raise some questions among analysts about the ability of Budapest to meet its target budget deficit of 3.8% of GDP this year.

INVESTOR Perplexed

"We can not help being perplexed when the Hungarian authorities speak of a much larger budget deficit than expected and at the same time they exclude austerity measures and instead promise of tax cuts," said Lars Christensen, an analyst at Danske Bank.

Investors also continue to be skeptical since the early exchanges, the Budapest Stock Exchange fell more than 5%, while the euro continued to trade at least $ 1.20 and the forint vis-retreated à-vis the euro.

Bank stocks such as OTP Bank and FHB are particularly challenged, the first yielding 4.55%, after having lost 10%, while the second lost 3.41% at 7:30 GMT.

According to the Hungarian press, the Hungarian government could tax the banks to achieve its economic goals.

Gyorgy Matolcsy said on CNBC that by the end of May, 87% of the annual target budget deficit has already reached.

Most economists believe that Hungary is in a stronger position than that of Greece, its deficits and debt levels are not as high as those in Athens.

In fact, the Hungarian government debt has reached about 80% of GDP in 2009, against 133% for Greece expected this year. Budapest also has a surplus on current account last year and reduced its budget deficit to 4% after significant reductions in its spending.

However, the government nonetheless began Saturday a three-day meeting. The announcement of a program of measures is expected by the end of the day.

Gyorgy Matolcsy noted in particular a proposal for the removal of 20% of the 58 different categories of taxes.He hoped that a radical program of tax cuts three years could be launched this year.

Spanish Grifols announced Monday the launch of a friendly takeover bid of 3.4 billion dollars (2.8 billion euros) over the U.S. Talecris Biotherapeutics specializes in the treatment of plasma in order to develop in the blood products.

For each action Talecris, Grifols offers $ 19 cash and 0.641 new share without voting rights.

A bid that shows a 53% premium over the average of thirty days of share price of U.S. laboratory.

There is also a good transaction for Cerberus, which owns, through a subsidiary, nearly 49% stake in Talecris.

"They pay a high premium over the market price that the market may not wish to reward short term," said Dirk Schnittke, analyst at CM Capital Markets.

"But it is a good strategic choice for medium-long term and they would not have achieved without preparing their project."

Around 10:30 GMT, Grifols fell nearly 5% to 8.81 euros, while the Madrid Stock Exchange was at equilibrium at the same time.

Including debt, the total redemption amounts to four billion dollars.To finance part of the transaction, Grifols will issue up to 84,000,000 new shares for 900 million dollars.

The Spanish group said Monday he hoped for about $ 230 million of annual synergies of the transaction, unanimously approved by directors of both companies and recommended to their respective shareholders.

The transaction should be accretive from the first year and increase earnings per share of 30% during the second year.

Grifols has given finance its deal, expected to close in the second half, to a syndicate of banks including Deutsche Bank, Nomura, BBVA, BNP Paribas, HSBC and Morgan Stanley.