Millennium Pharma Summit--strategic planning to increase growth and generate pharmaceutical shareholder value. 26-27 January 2000, London, UK.

With mergers and acquisitions (M&As) being the 'watch words' of the moment among those involved in the pharmaceutical industry, this meeting aimed to bring together the senior hierarchy of both medium and big pharma to discuss the issues pertinent to competitive survival and shareholder profit delivery. Along with a more objective analysis delivered by a number of management consultancy representatives, the summit presented delegates with interesting and often controversial viewpoints on: strategic partnerships and alliances; developing organizational models to generate profitability; the promotion of innovative R&D to maximize shareholder value; the development of marketing strategies in line with increasing consumer power; and, past, present and future consequences for the industry as a result of 'merger mania'.