The ratings on New York, N.Y.-based Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. reflect the company's diverse product portfolio, the addition of several promising new products over the past several years, and solid financials. Bristol-Myers' portfolio remains diverse, with strong positions in the oncology, cardiovascular, and virology markets. Still, the upholding of the patent on Plavix, an anti-platelet aggregator, was key to Bristol-Myers' operating performance over the intermediate term, because the drug is the company's largest selling product by far. Plavix potentially accounts for almost a quarter of sales and even more EBITDA. With patent protection until November 2011, Plavix will remain a key product in Bristol-Myers' portfolio. Apotex, the generic drug company that was hoping to continue selling a generic version of Plavix,
