Curis Reformed: Unearthing Preclinical Value
Executive Summary
From its start as a promising powerhouse in the emerging area of regenerative medicine and through product failures, valuation crunches and capital constraints, Curis has in the past two years embraced an almost old-school approach to the biotechnology business. Bereft now of the late-stage assets (and corresponding cash burn) that helped drive its formation through merger in 2000, the company has leveraged its preclinical expertise in cell signaling to sign broad, value-creating alliances with top-shelf biotechnology and pharmaceutical partners.
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Big Pharma is in-licensing increasing numbers of preclinical and Phase I compounds despite the fact that their own early-stage productivity is up. Their goal is to increase shots on goal; to pay for the ballooning costs, however, they're increasingly willing to share downstream rights for near-term help on expenses.
Stryker Misses the Goal with OP-1
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Ontogeny Grows the Family Tree
The merger of Creative BioMolecules, Ontogeny, and Reprogenesis to form Curis Inc. was designed to build value long-term. Driven by their common focus on regenerative medicine, Curis combines near-term and longer-term product opportunities and creates a more formidable discovery engine to compete with larger companies in the field.