Determinants and impacts of mergers and acquisitions in the drugs and pharmaceutical industry in India

Abstract

Mergers and Acquisitions (MandAs) are inorganic growth strategies adopted by firms for achieving the objective of long-term growth maximization. Compared to other inorganic growth strategies like joint ventures and strategic alliances, MandAs offer deeper restructuring opportunities and better control over business over a long-term newlinebasis. During the third wave of globalization which started in early 1990s, MandAs became a popular strategy for firms to expand their businesses beyond the national boundaries. newlineIndian economy has been witnessing buzzling activity in the MandA landscape. A sectoral analysis of MandA trends identifies pharmaceutical sector as one of the top 5 newlinesectors with the highest MandA deal values during the period 2013-2016. Though Pharma sector has witnessed a decline in deal values during few years in the recent past, the resilience of the sector is visible through its ability to bounce back with record newlinebreaking deal values. Due to the continuous regulatory changes occurring in the domestic and foreign markets, pharma companies have to constantly change their strategies to survive and grow in the industry. MandAs enable pharma companies to adapt to these changes quickly. This study explores how the firms in the pharmaceutical sector use MandA as a strategy to navigate through the dynamic competitive landscape. The objectives of this research are threefold developing an understanding of the motives behind MandA decisions of the pharma firms, identification of the firm level determinants of acquisition probability and assessment of impact of MandAs. This study newlineuses qualitative content analysis for identification of MandA motives. The firm level newlinedeterminants of acquisition probability have been explored using Random Effect Logistic (REL) regression using panel data. Case study approach has been employed to assess the MandA impact by comparing the MandA motives with the post MandA outcomes.