Pharming: Back from the Brink of Bankruptcy
Executive Summary
Two years ago it looked as if all was lost at Pharming: escalating costs for its Pompe's disease program and indebtedness to its JV partner Genzyme forced it into legal moratorium in August 2001. Today, Pharming's back in the game; indeed, its new management, slimmed down operations and heightened focus on cost control mirrors the many other European biotechs trying to adapt to the harsh winter. But Pharming could have avoided near death by not turning its development partner into its biggest creditor. Still, the firm's turnaround-even this far-shows a reassuring willingness among Europe's investors to assume risk and give companies another chance.