Since its inception in 1981, Genzyme, a biotechnology company, has pursued a path remarkably different from its peers: develop drugs for rare diseases rather than “blockbuster” drugs. The company continued to operate independently managing its own production, sales, and testing facilities rather than collaborating with large pharmaceutical companies. It went public in 1986, raising $27 million. By 2006, Genzyme was the world’s third-largest biotechnology company. In 2011, it was acquired by Sanofi, a French drug company in a $20 billion mutually beneficial deal.
Genzyme's focus on small, but immensely profitable markets for rare diseases and its novel strategy to stay independent has given it formidable returns. However, its acquisition by
Yamada reorganization of drug discovery at GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) following a merger to combat bureaucracy in decision making, approval, and authorization. This reorganization was necessary for the continued success of the company. Often the process for drug discovery and market is a slow and tedious process which can cost a company a lot in resources and financially. The smaller biotech companies are able to move quicker and push new drugs to market faster. The shift, Yamada thinks,
“The Tech Museum of Innovation”. http://genetics.thetech.org. 6 January 2006. Web. 6 February 2016.
From a strategic viewpoint, it is my belief that Pills & Co should make a play to purchase Star Genomics for these reasons:
In the summer of 2009, the Food and Drug Administration and the 23andMe organization started negotiations on regulating the company’s delivery of genetic health probability data. A couple of years after, the FDA all of a sudden alerted the organization to quit offering its Personal Genome Service. The FDA felt the test was considered a “medical device”. This classification would require the organization to gain FDA approval. The letter served as a notice to the organization since they were no more speaking with the office.
The book “from Alchemy to IPO the business of Biotechnology” is a synopsis of the biotech industry from its inception to late 1900’s . Author Cynthia Robbins – Roth writes a first hand narration from amidst the blooming industry as she was one of the first senior scientist to be recruited by Genentech. The book gives a complete picture from the roots of biotech , the major milestones achieved and the process of getting the product out to the market. It also covers the financers, venture capitalist and the common man’s view of the biotech industry from time to time, during its progression.
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.
Amgen is a public company which was established in 1980. It is the employer of over 1,700 people. It stands out as being one of the only companies in the biotechnology industry to transform from being a drugs development business to a thriving pharmaceutical company whilst maintaining steady profits. Today, Amgen remains to be one of the biggest pharmaceutical companies in the world. Amgen’s mission statement is; “To Serve Patients” and it strives to do just that by developing products and therapies which have the ability to improve or prevent disease or deficiency, and even save lives. Some of Amgen’s values include;
The CEO and Co-founder of Seattle Genetics, Dr. Clay Siegall, recently sat down for an interview with Inspirey. Seattle Genetics is a biotech firm whose specialty is developing drugs to help combat fatal diseases like cancer where there has not been significant drug improvement for decades. Dr. Siegall who holds a Ph.D. in Genetics from George Washington University and a B.S. Degree in Zoology from the University of Maryland stated in his interview with Inspirey that he has always had an interested in medicine and the use of technology. This interest led him to fulfill a desire of becoming his own boss, by taking control of his own patents, products, and developments.
Lilly’s unique proficiency is its capability to bring about drug advancement. Lilly has the skill to identify prospective drug applicants by frequently improving processes with their research and development. To give an example, in the 1960s Lilly started a line of oral and injectable antibiotics called cephalosporins. Lilly has many examples such as this in which they are the first company to do XY or Z. The company is continually investing in new alliances and technologies around the world to aid in their research and to expand their abilities. The company will be able to achieve further patents as a result of their new alliances and technology research.
DNA DTC is a company whose genetic products and services includes research, exome sequencing, and whole genome sequencing, but tests carry a steep price tag. Another company, Genelex is different from the previous companies, and specializes in paternity and pharmacogenomics, which simplified, is the study of individualized effect of drugs based on genetics. Genelex and other companies similar to them could be a threat by repositioning themselves, to combat health based genomic sequencing.
company was one of the first to develop recombinant proteins using genetic technology. Two of its
In the 90’s the company continued to invent more medications for many different aliments and illnesses which made them a force in the industry. Not all their medication has been a success however, the company has had several lawsuits filed against them and has been in trouble with the FDA. In 2015, a lawsuit was settled against the company and their Japanese partner for 2.37 billion dollars, the largest settlement in US history. [14] Though Eli Lilly has had some setbacks with lawsuits and losing patents on some of their highly successful medications, the company continues to invest in research and development for new drug and have a positive outlook on their
BioMarin was founded as a subsidiary of Glyko Biomedical in 1996 and started operations in 1997. While Glyko provided the initial start-up funds, BioMarin also sold 2.5 million common stock to its founders. The company has a history of success in fundraising. Examples of some key financing activities experienced a few years after inception include private placements to independent investors and Glyko Biomedical in 1999 worth $26 million and a 50:50 joint venture with Genzyme in 1998 worth $30 million. BioMarin raised a combined sum of $58 million
The word Gene derives from the Greek “genesis” (birth) or “genos” (origin) and was first coined by Wilhelm Johannsen in 1909. At that time, little or nothing was known about the existence of DNA, and the word gene was used to describe the Mendelian concept of a phenotypical trait that is transmitted through inheritance (Johansen, 1909).
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