Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (BMS) is engaged in the discovery, development, licensing, manufacturing, marketing, distribution and sale of pharmaceutical products on a global basis. The Company鈥檚 products are sold worldwide, primarily to wholesalers, retail pharmacies, hospitals, government entities and the medical profession. It manufactures products in the United States, Puerto Rico and in eight foreign countries. The Company鈥檚 pharmaceutical products include chemically-synthesized drugs, or small molecules, and an increasing portion of and an increasing portion of products produced from biological processes called biologics. Small molecule drugs are typically administered orally in the form of a pill, although there are other drug delivery mechanisms that are used as well. Biologics are administered to patients through injections. On October 12, 2010, the Company acquired ZymoGenetics, Inc. (ZymoGenetics).
Bristol-Myers Squibb is a global BioPharma company firmly focused on its Mission to discover, develop and deliver innovative medicines that help patients prevail over serious diseases.
Around the world, our medicines help millions of people in their fight against such diseases as cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, hepatitis B, HIV/AIDS, rheumatoid arthritis and psychiatric disorders.
At Bristol-Myers Squibb, our BioPharma strategy uniquely combines the reach and resources of a major pharma company with the entrepreneurial spirit and agility of a successful biotech company. With this strategy, we focus on our customers’ needs, giving maximum priority to accelerating pipeline development, delivering sales growth and continuing to manage costs.
The strategy is working. For the past three years, our total return for shareholders, including dividends, has been among the best in the industry. We outperformed most mega pharma companies, diversified companies and pure biotech companies. Reflecting our long-standing commitment to deliver shareholder value, our company has paid dividends to stockholders for more than 300 consecutive quarters.
In addition, we have delivered ten new key products to patients in the past seven years. And there are more medicines on the way. We anticipate up to five additional regulatory approvals or submissions through 2012.
Our R&D organization is considered among the most productive in the industry. And the String of Pearls strategy of innovative alliances, partnerships and acquisitions further enhances our internal capabilities. Our full array of pearls encompasses many of our key disease areas, including cancer, cardiovascular disease, immunology, neuroscience and virology.
Pursuing our Mission also means we are working to provide patient access to health care. We are striving to that goal through public/private partnerships like SECURE THE FUTURE, our groundbreaking $150 million program to help confront HIV/AIDS in Africa. In addition, through our patient assistance programs, we provide free medications to qualifying patients with financial hardship in the U.S.
Innovation is critical for successfully executing our BioPharma strategy. That innovation is enhanced by a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture. Bristol-Myers Squibb has been recognized year after year as one of the best companies for female executives and working mothers. We’ve also been recognized by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s Corporate Equality Index for achieving a perfect score for four consecutive years.
Preservation of our natural resources also represents one of our key commitments. At many of our facilities worldwide, our company is integrating comprehensive energy management, pollution controls and other practices to reduce environmental impacts. Bristol-Myers Squibb is recognized among the leading sustainability-driven companies.
Bristol-Myers Squibb delivers on its commitments: to our patients and customers, to our employees, to our global communities, to our shareholders and to our environment.
Ultimately, our success as a BioPharma leader is measured by the difference we make in the lives of patients. I invite you to listen to some of those stories – which may also be those of our own employees – throughout our website and on www.prevail.bms.com.
Lamberto Andreotti
March 2011