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ZymoGenetics
Biotech Specialty Pharma
1201 Eastlake Avenue East
Seattle, WA 98102-3702 USA
phone:(206) 442-6600
fax:(206) 442-6608
Symbol ZGEN
Exchange NASDAQ
Founded 1981
Employees 364
     www.zymogenetics.com
Research Sector Biotech Specialty Pharma
Summary Description
Biopharmaceutical company
Management
Bruce L.A. Carter, Ph.D., Chairman of the Board; James A. Harper, director; Judith Hemberger, Ph.D., director; Dr. Hirsh director; Mr. Leff director
Ownership
Financials Mkt Cap :785
* numbers in thousands
 
Keywords
biopharmaceutical, zymogenetics, drugs, recombinant, inflammatory


Comment | Printable Version | Modify profile Dec. 20, 2009

Description
ZymoGenetics is a biopharmaceutical company with a development pipeline of proteins, antibodies, and antibody-like molecules. ZymoGenetics is publicly traded (NASDAQ: ZGEN) and headquartered in Seattle. They have contributed to the discovery or development of six recombinant protein products now marketed by other companies. Current programs target inflammatory and autoimmune diseases, bleeding, cancer and viral indications. Their first internally developed product, RECOTHROM Thrombin, topical (Recombinant), was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on January 17, 2008 for use as a topical hemostat to control moderate bleeding during surgical procedures and is now marketed in the United States.
Products / Services
Two of the Company's advanced internal product candidates, rhThrombin and rFactor XIII, are recombinant versions of proteins that are marketed in forms derived from human or cow blood. ZymoGenetics has also participated in the discovery or development of five recombinant protein products marketed by other companies for the treatment of various diseases, including diabetes, hemophilia, diabetic ulcer, gastrointestinal motility and severe hypoglycemia in diabetic patients treated with insulin and myocardial infarction or heart attacks.
Technology / Differentiation
Zymogenetics specializes in the development of drugs from a defined subset of genes that have the highest probability of coding for proteins with therapeutic potential. They are one of the first companies to concentrate solely on therapeutic proteins.
Strategy
Zymogenetics intends to maintain all or a significant share of the commercial rights to a number of their products in North American markets. As a result, they will be required to pay a significant portion of the development costs for these product candidates. A second important element of their strategy is the development of a broad portfolio of product candidates. Thus, they are paying a significant portion of development costs for several potential products. Assuming these product candidates progress through clinical development successfully, the costs of clinical trials are expected to increase significantly.
Status
They expect that it will be at least four to five years before they can generate enough product-related revenues to reach cash flow breakeven. In the interim, revenues from existing relationships will help to defray expenses, but additional funding will be required, the amount of which could be significant. It is expected that for the industry as a whole, less than 20% of the drug candidates entering human clinical trials will actually make it to the marketplace. For the products that do make it, particularly for those that address previously unmet medical needs, the markets can be significant, with a number of successful products selling in excess of $1 billion per year.


2010-02-07-1363