Abstract: The major driver of the pharmaceutical industry is R&D. While research and innovation costs increase, companies are pressurised to improve their R&D productivity. To leverage on their investments and research capabilities, companies turn to mergers and acquisitions. But consolidation has always decelerated R&D productivity. The industry has become increasingly dependent on blockbuster drugs. Most blockbusters that emerged are cardiovascular drugs. Statins belong to this class. Lipitor, a statin, was discovered and developed by Warner Lambert and quickly became a blockbuster.