10.04.2006 - 03:33pm ET

(CSRwire) New York - Innovest Strategic Value Advisors, Inc., the global leader in analyzing extra-financial sources of investment risk, has released its most recent report on the Global Pharmaceutical Sector. Of the 44 companies in the report, top sustainability performers with AAA ratings included Roche Holdings, Novo Nordisk, GlaxoSmithKline, Novartis, and Johnson & Johnson. Laggards included Elan Corp. and Bioval.

An excerpt from this report is available in PDF format by clicking here.

The cost for the Report with Premium Service is USD $15,000 and includes: 1) an electronic version of the report in its entirety available for download, 2) current information on both the industry and company specific issues over a period of one year including the Innovest Weekly Stock Monitor and 3) unlimited access to the Innovest senior analyst in the Global Pharmaceuticals Sector for a period of one year for discussion, clarification, and current thinking.

Alternatively, individual company Intangible Value Assemsnt (IVA) reports can also be purchased for $195 each. Click here to see a list of all the companies available.

"The report provides an in-depth analysis of the sustainability risks and opportunities in the pharmaceutical industry, mainly focused on product safety, access to medicines, and the competition between generic and branded products, " said Veronique Menou, Senior Innovest Analyst on the project. "It also examines how the pharmaceutical sector is reacting in the wake of various criticisms relating to the lack of innovative products, questionable advertising and pricing practices and little interest shown to those in need in developing countries. "

In addition the report goes on to cover ongoing clinical trials, environmental liability and material intensity, as well as which companies are performing the best in the critical area of recruitment, motivation, and retention of the brightest and best employees.

As each company in the industry is analyzed, they receive a rating from Innovest relative to their peer group (AAA to CCC). In an annual analysis the average total return for companies rated CCC was 0% while those rated BBB or above was in excess of 20%.

About Innovest

Innovest Strategic Value Advisors is an internationally recognized investment research and advisory firm specializing in analyzing companies' performance on environmental, social, and strategic governance issues, with a particular focus on their impact on competitiveness, profitability, and share price performance. By assessing differentials typically not identified by traditional securities analysis, Innovest's IVA ratings uncover hidden risks and value potential for investors.

Innovest was judged the #1 global provider of "extra-financial" research in the Thomson Extel 2006 survey of institutional investors.

For more information please contact: