
December 1, 2008 Cover
Volume 86, Issue 48
COVER: Alnylam Pharmaceuticals researchers conduct R&D in RNA interference, a strategy for controlling gene expression, at the company’s headquarters site in Cambridge, Mass.
Volume 86, Issue 48
PHARMA YEAR IN REVIEW
Drug firms have spent the year adopting new business models aimed at igniting innovation, protecting profitability
COVER: Alnylam Pharmaceuticals researchers conduct R&D in RNA interference, a strategy for controlling gene expression, at the company’s headquarters site in Cambridge, Mass.
Credit: John Earle
» Full Article
December 1, 2008 Issue
Volume 86, Issue 48
December 1, 2008 Issue, Vol. 86 | Iss. 48
Drug firms have spent the year adopting new business models aimed at igniting innovation, protecting profitability
(pp. 15-24)
Features

Government & Policy
As Obama sets agenda and fills top posts, groups offer up wish lists (pp. 43-49)

Science & Technology
Debate over history of water on the red planet intensifies with new spacecraft data (pp. 59-61)
Cover Story: Measured Metamorphosis
Facing The Giants
Drug companies struggle to deflect generics competition, appease cautious regulators
(pp. 20-21)News of the Week
Plant Puberty
Structure of receptor of key plant hormone gibberellin reveals how molecule works
(p.9)Biotechs Scramble
Companies are taking drastic measures to conserve cash for R&D
(p.10)More Chemical Plants Are Closing
Shrinking economy leads to new layoffs and reductions in capacity
(p.10)Bryostatin, Faster
Highly selective catalysis dramatically reduces steps to multiring structure
(p.11)Climate-Change Talks
Meeting in Poland sets stage for next year's negotiations on new treaty to lower greenhouse gas emissions
(p.11)NSF Revises Proposal Policies
Agency requires mentoring activities in grant applications
(p.12)Tamed Germanium
Cryptand cage sequesters a nearly naked germanium dication
(p.12)Departments
Business
New government fund will give $1 billion to promising Chinese drug labs
(pp. 28-29)
Petrochemical makers in Latin America expect to largely escape the global economic downturn
(pp. 30-31)
Finding a balanced media response to setbacks in AIDS vaccine research
(p.32)
Two views on how the pharmaceutical industry can best meet the medical needs of impoverished people around the globe
(pp. 33-40)
Drug companies struggle to deflect generics competition, appease cautious regulators
(pp. 20-21)
Drug firms have spent the year adopting new business models aimed at igniting innovation, protecting profitability
(pp. 15-24)Concentrates
(pp. 25-26)

- AstraZeneca, GSK Will Close Plants In Europe
- BASF And Osram Have OLED Prototype
- Altana Snaps Up Clariant Wax Unit
- Showa Denko To Make Pure NH3 In China
- Elevance Strikes Deal With Clemson Spinoff
- Symrise Collaboration Yields Cosmetic Actives
- DuPont Opens R&D Center In India
- Evonik Will Expand Chinese Pharma Plant
- Plastics Museum Closes Its Doors
- Hutchison And Lilly Expand Collaboration
- Sun Buys Chattem For Narcotics Plant
- Alpharma Yields To Takeover By King
- Infinity Strikes Development Deal
- Business Roundup
Government & Policy
As Obama sets agenda and fills top posts, groups offer up wish lists
(pp. 43-49)Science & Technology
The Broad Institute catalyzes connections between disciplines
(pp. 53-54)
Debate over history of water on the red planet intensifies with new spacecraft data
(pp. 59-61)