Subject category:
Strategy and General Management
Published by:
INSEAD
Length: 12 pages
Data source: Field research
Abstract
This is the fifth case in a series of 11 (394-028-1 through 394-038-1), which deals with a technological partnership between a large firm (Ciba-Geigy) and a small firm (Alza). It covers a period of about eight years: from 1977 until 1984. The first cases (394-028-1 to 394-030-1) describe the pharmaceutical industry, the two companies, and the events leading up to the partnership opportunity. The following cases (394-031-1 and 394-032-1) analyse the structure of the agreement and the evolving actual functioning of the partnership between 1978 and 1981. The final cases (394-033-1 to 394-038-1) describe the dissolution of the partnership in 1982, and the longer-term consequences of the partnership for each company. The general objective of the case series is to provide an opportunity for discussing the generic issues arising in technological partnerships between large and small companies.
About
Abstract
This is the fifth case in a series of 11 (394-028-1 through 394-038-1), which deals with a technological partnership between a large firm (Ciba-Geigy) and a small firm (Alza). It covers a period of about eight years: from 1977 until 1984. The first cases (394-028-1 to 394-030-1) describe the pharmaceutical industry, the two companies, and the events leading up to the partnership opportunity. The following cases (394-031-1 and 394-032-1) analyse the structure of the agreement and the evolving actual functioning of the partnership between 1978 and 1981. The final cases (394-033-1 to 394-038-1) describe the dissolution of the partnership in 1982, and the longer-term consequences of the partnership for each company. The general objective of the case series is to provide an opportunity for discussing the generic issues arising in technological partnerships between large and small companies.