Abbott considers the deal with Genentech as a sensible move to bring its Phase I oncology products to market. Likewise, the alliance with Bristol Mayers Squibb (BMS) makes sense for AstraZeneca as it gains access to late-stage compounds in areas of unmet clinical need. Regarding BMS the reason lies in ‘new areas of opportunities’ that were not disclosed. Thus similar strategic reasons are likely to play a key role in all agreements between global pharma companies.