1. In Vivo
  2. >>Business Strategy

ZymoGenetics' Biotech Disconnect

It's logical to think that synthetic thrombin is safer than bovine- or plasma-derived equivalents. But ZymoGenetics is finding out that it's not an easy sell, especially to Wall Street.

When ZymoGenetics Inc. decided it would develop recombinant human thrombin (rhThrombin; Recothrom) as the first product it would keep for itself, there was only one competitor on the market: Thrombin-JMI, a bovine thrombin approved in 1995 and sold by King Pharmaceuticals Inc.Johnson & Johnson had stopped selling its bovine thrombin in 1999, the threat of mad cow disease had closed off the European market, and JMI’s label had carried a boxed warning since 1996 about the severe bleeding risks associated with potential antibody formation.

To that point, the biotech had out-licensed its development programs, including a broad deal with Serono (now Merck Serono...

Read the full article – start your free trial today!

Join thousands of industry professionals who rely on In Vivo for daily insights

  • Start your 7-day free trial
  • Explore trusted news, analysis, and insights
  • Access comprehensive global coverage
  • Enjoy instant access – no credit card required
Start Free Trial

Already a subscriber?

More from Business Strategy

More from In Vivo

Dealmaking Quarterly Statistics, Q2 2025

 
• By Maureen Riordan and Deanna Kamienski

During Q2, biopharma merger and acquisition deal value reached $24.6bn and drew in $60.7bn in potential deal value from alliances. Device company M&A values reached $223m, while in vitro diagnostics and research tools players’ M&A activity totaled $802m.

PBMs Tighten The Reins: Value Becomes The New Access Gatekeeper

 
• By Andrew Cox

Facing rising costs and tighter regulations, PBMs and insurers are accelerating the shift to value-based drug coverage, demanding stronger proof of therapeutic and economic benefit from pharma.

Akelos’ Peripheral HCN1 Blocker Looks To End Opioid Dependence In Neuropathic Pain

 
• By Jo Shorthouse

Akelos is developing a first-in-class, non-addictive HCN1 inhibitor for peripheral neuropathic pain, based on anesthesiology research from Weill Cornell. The compound is designed to avoid the brain and heart, and has shown strong preclinical efficacy and safety with NIH backed development underway.