GlaxoSmithKline, Pfizer join to fight HIV

When we hear of pharmaceutical companies' ventures it's usually either a straight merger & acquisition or a collaboration on a drug or two in their pipelines to share costs and, of course, potential profits. But Pfizer Inc. (PFE) and GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) have come up with a new one.

Rather than merge (recall, Pfizer is acquiring Wyeth for $68 billion), or collaborate on a drug or two, the two have decided to merge their HIV operations. They plan to develop a company focused solely on research, development and commercialization of HIV medicines.