Global pharmaceutical players are facing structural issues from the impending patent cliff, shrinking product pipeline, rising R&D; costs and growing competition. At the one end, these companies are shrinking in size due to loss of blockbuster exclusivities while, at the other end, new product approvals by the USFDA are also on the rise. Hence, to maintain the structural balance and improve probability of success they are inclined to outsource a substantial part of the R&D; work. Similarly, the innovative/virtual companies that are extensively working on new...