Trigger-happy AstraZeneca (AZN 0.78%) is done waiting for home-grown talent to develop. In recent weeks, the Big Pharma laggard has acquired Omthera (NASDAQ: OMTH) and Pearl Therapeutics. These acquisitions instantly inject one promising late-stage drug into the pipeline, one drug facing regulatory approval into the product mix, and a few others in earlier stages of development. The company has thrust itself into competing in two major markets virtually overnight. This is certainly a welcomed sight for investors, who have experienced their fair share of disappointment in recent quarters. The moves don't put AstraZeneca on the same level as more successful peers, but it is a great start to getting back on the right track. In the following video, Fool contributor Maxx Chatsko explains what the moves mean for investors.
AstraZeneca's Buying Spree Bolsters Pipeline
By Maxx Chatsko – Jun 14, 2013 at 6:32PM
NYSE: GSK
GSK
Market Cap
$88B
Today's Change
(-0.41%) $0.18
Current Price
$43.94
Price as of October 21, 2025 at 4:00 PM ET
A string of recent acquisitions means AstraZeneca is taking a proactive approach to giving its pipeline life.
About the Author
Maxx has been a contributor to Fool.com since 2013. He graduated from the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry (2012) with a Bachelor of Science in Bioprocess Engineering and from Carnegie Mellon University (2016) with a Master of Science in Materials Science & Engineering.