But even if it only does as well as Glaxo-Wellcome did, Lilly stands to benefit enormously.

FORBES: Prozac To Fight PMS Under New Name

The consortium is a who's who of important pharmaceutical names: AstraZeneca azn (nyse: azn - news - people), Bristol-Myers Squibb bmy (nyse: bmy - news - people), Glaxo Wellcome glx (nyse: glx - news - people), Novartis nvs (nyse: nvs - news - people), Pfizer pfe (nyse: pfe - news - people)and SmithKline Beecham sbh (nyse: sbh - news - people).

FORBES: Orchid Biosciences Not Yet In The Black

In Britain, there is a well-worn path between drug giants such as SmithKline Beecham and Glaxo Wellcome, and executive and non-executive slots on biotech boards.

ECONOMIST: European biotech: Management shortfall | The