23andme New Entrants

The ALPES S.A. case deals with Charles River Laboratories (CRL) and their consideration of a joint venture proposal with an animal vaccine company in Mexico. The senior V.P. is preparing to present the proposal of a $2 million investment for the firm. The CEO, Jim Foster, is concerned with the associated risks that CRL would be undertaking if they accept this venture.  Key issues of concern are; the partnership with a relatively small, family run business; having operations in Mexico, which could pose difficulties; maintaining CRL’s focus on U.S. expansion; and the proposed partner’s lack of funds to invest, which will leave CRL  to  bear the entire cost of the venture.

As faculty members, there should not be any form of restriction to how much they can contribute to biotechnology companies since it is their invention on trial. However for effectiveness, they need to work closely with experts from the biotechnology companies to create a device that fully meets patients or people’s needs for both commercial and medical potential.

1. Identify potential sources of synergy in the proposed acquisition of Star Genomics. Identify a set of problems that the acquisition may create. How can Pills & Co. address them? From the strategic viewpoint, does it appear to be a sensible acquisition for Pills & Co.?

3. Collaboration with similar companies in search and development of new products and thereby decreasing the competition for resources within the company.

The shareholders in this case would be the companies and the scientists offering these services to potential parents.

company was one of the first to develop recombinant proteins using genetic technology. Two of its

This is all fairly well-known: Genetics 101. What's new is how startups like Sequenom have industrialized the SNP identification process. Andi Braun and Charles Cantor are finding thousands of new SNPs a day, at a cost of about a penny each.

   The Human Genome Project is the largest scientific endeavor undertaken since the Manhattan Project, and, as with the Manhattan Project, the completion of the Human Genome Project has brought to surface many moral and ethical issues concerning the use of the knowledge gained from the project. Although genetic tests for certain diseases have been available for 15 years (Ridley, 1999), the completion of the Human Genome Project will certainly lead to an exponential increase in the number of genetic tests available. Therefore, before genetic testing becomes a routine part of a visit to a doctor's office, the two main questions at the heart of the controversy surrounding genetic testing must be

Genetic information can be identified at any point throughout a person’s lifespan from pre-conception until after death. In addition to heritable, biological information, family history, genetic test results, and medical records are also sources of genetic information” (Jenkins & Lea, 2005). We are put in a position to gather and retain information that could be utilized for a better future, but is confidentiality involved for the sake of profiting? Ask yourself, who should have access to genetic information? Who owns and controls it? How can families resolve conflicts when some members want to be tested for a genetic disorder and others do not?

Biotech companies’ values are primarily driven by intellectual property, they do not need to rely much on their suppliers. These companies also have relatively easy access to sources of raw materials (such as chemicals), scientific tools, computers and testing equipment.

In June 2000, the publicly funded Human Genome Project (HGP) and the private firm Celera Genomics Inc. announced that they had completed sequencing the human genome. This unprecedented accomplishment is expected to enable doctors to diagnose, treat and even prevent numerous genetic diseases. As these two entities worked on sequencing the human genome, there was also a separate and less publicized race to patent as many human genes as possible.

Technical risk, a large portion of all development costs are spent on drugs that never reach the market.

Before discussion of the ethical, legal and social issues can be successful, some background information is needed. For example, why is the goal of mapping the human genome important? Who is going to benefit or at least be affected by this new

The market for Sexual Dysfunction treatment especially among males is considered to be a market with great growth potential. Pharma Technologies Inc. in Canada has achieved a patent for the new break through technology that offers treatment for the condition in a totally different way than the current prevalent drugs in the market like Viagra. The case discussion below attempts at analyzing the best alliance strategy between PTI and a company to ensure timely development of a new drug with the technology that PTI has patented. The analysis includes a discussion on the strategic issues and objectives, industry analysis, Firm analysis, the deal options and recommendation for a strategy.

Genzyme, a biotechnology start-up company founded by a handful scientists wants to enter the orphane drug market. At the same time, the US Congress passed the Orphane Drug Act, which gives first developers an