Pharmaceutical Executive-01-29-2009

Big name patent expirations may be looming, but that's not stopping pharma companies from filing - and getting approved for - dozens of new patents. Pharm Exec looks at which companies are getting the most approvals, and how 2008 compared to previous years.

Astellas bumped its bid for CV Therapeutics to $1 billion, but analysts doubt the offer is high enough to get the biotech's board of directors to sign on the dotted line.

Pfizer hit hard with the surprise purchase of Wyeth. But will the pharma giant strike out in the long run? Analysts ponder the long and short-term ramifications of this monster acquisition.