Genencor is using many of the same technologies which helped it become a leading producer of industrial enzymes to build a health care business. But in running a profitable industrial operation along side an unprofitable, resource- consuming biopharmaceutical unit, the company faces the challenge of effectively managing two distinct business models under one roof, while maintaining investor confidence during a transitional period. Although the company's management acknowledges that they may eventually have to split its health care and industrial businesses, they are now seeking to take advantage of the scientific synergies between the two to create a diverse, yet focused portfolio of near- and longer-term opportunities. They are also attempting to use the protein engineering expertise previously applied in the industrial setting to reduce the risks and shorten the timelines typically associated with drug development by making improving others' inventions, for example, creating next-generation versions of late stage--or even marketed--therapeutic proteins.
By Jeffrey Dvorin
Last year, Genencor International Inc.'s $311 million in product revenues placed it ninth among biotechnology companies worldwide. The company, which...
Join thousands of industry professionals who rely on In Vivo for daily insights
Already a subscriber?
A look at Novo Nordisk, Eli Lilly and other companies' late-stage clinical studies of GLP-1 drugs in indications ranging from neurodegeneration to oncology, and alcoholic liver disease to autoimmune conditions.
Metsera CEO Whit Bernard applies an unconventional leadership philosophy to develop next-generation obesity therapeutics, including monthly GLP-1 injections and oral peptides.
A Q&A with DeAnn Smith, partner and co-chair of the Patent Trial and Appeal Board Proceedings Practice Group at law firm Foley Hoag.
Advanced AI is revolutionizing sales enablement by addressing training gaps and performance challenges. Used correctly, it can help to bridge the sales-marketing divide, accelerate ramp-up times and provide managers with data-driven insights.
Namrata Saroj, chief business officer of Ocular Therapeutix, is highly respected in the retina community for her contributions to drug development. She talked to In Vivo about her journey in ophthalmology, leadership philosophy and the importance of authenticity in a close-knit specialty.
J&J's EMEA head of digital solutions, Julia Fishman, talks about the hurdles in scaling digital innovation and what’s up next on J&J’s innovation road map. Robot-assisted surgery pioneer Ivo Broeders gives his perspective on the difficulties in clinical adoption.
Emma Hodcroft, co-founder of Pathoplexus and a key Nextstrain contributor, stresses the importance of career flexibility for young scientists. She urges early-stage researchers to embrace curiosity, using her unconventional path as an example of how curiosity can lead to impactful success.
