5 Biotechnology shares more than tripled this year

Many firms with spectacular pipelines were hit by a slew of licensing and buyout offers.

Novartis recently announced it will buy the MDCO Medicines Company and add to its arsenal a potentially revolutionary cholesterol-lowering clinical treatment.

After a protracted wait, Roche is finally set to buy Spark Therapeutics, while Astellas Pharma, a Japanese company, takes over Audentes Therapeutics, Inc. In the meantime, new dru....