ZymoGenetics: rhThrombin has great potential

In line with the rapid historical uptake of other recombinant protein products, following an anticipated approval in late 2007, ZymoGenetics' rhThrombin is expected to quickly take market share from King Pharmaceutical's Thrombin-JMI. Upon doing so, rhThrombin's revenues are forecast to grow from $165 million in 2008 to an impressive $459 million in 2010, well ahead of Wall Street consensus.

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ZymoGenetics: early hope for late-stage disease

ZymoGenetics has reported positive results from its phase Ia study of IL-21 in patients with metastatic melanoma and metastatic renal cell carcinoma. This announcement warrants further studies of IL-21 in these indications, which is welcome news for ZymoGenetics and development partner Novo Nordisk. However, competition is already on the horizon, in the form of Bayer/Onyx' Nexavar.

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ZymeTx: flu management program could be catching

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Zimmer: the strong get stronger

Over the past few years, Zimmer [ZMH] has demonstrated even higher growth than the impressive rates seen in the overall orthopaedic market, and is now set to become even stronger with the addition of Centerpulse. The company will take market leadership position in joint reconstruction and become the fifth largest player in the lucrative sector of spinal implants.

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Zimmer: spinal expansion would maximize Collagraft potential

The recent approval for these indications allows Zimmer to compete in the largest segment of the $200 million US market for bone growth substitutes. However, unless the company fully enters the spinal implant market - including the establishment of a spinal salesforce - Collagraft will not reach its sales potential.

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Zimmer: big advances through tiny holes

Zimmer has released positive preliminary results for its two-incision minimally invasive hip arthroplasty system, and also plans to open a training facility teaching surgeons how to implant these systems. But while the system can radically reduce recovery time, it involves an extremely difficult technique that most orthopaedic surgeons are unlikely to adopt.

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Zetia: Potential to reshape the cholesterol drug landscape?

Statins have become the gold standard in the treatment of dyslipidemia, accounting for approximately 60% of treatments prescribed to patients with coronary heart disease in the late 1990s. However, with these drugs limited in their ability to lower LDL cholesterol to the target recommended by the National Institutes of Health an opportunity awaits for a therapy able to achieve this goal.<BR />

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Zeltia: opening up options for ovarian cancer

Following promising Phase II trial results, Zeltia has announced the initiation of an international Phase III clinical trial to investigate a combination of Yondelis and Caelyx. Investigating Yondelis in relapsed ovarian cancer patients theoretically allows for its use in multiple lines of treatment, thereby greatly increasing its future commercial potential.

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Zeltia: files for approval of Yondelis for ovarian cancer in the US

Zeltia/Johnson & Johnson are seeking US approval for Yondelis, following a pivotal Phase III trial in second-line ovarian cancer therapy. However, approval in this indication may only marginally increase the commercial potential of Yondelis, as competition from established platinum-based chemotherapy agents will restrict the drug's market potential.

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Zelos: osteoporosis therapy to face challenge despite positive data

Significant, dose responsive increases in mean lumbar spine bone mineral density have been recorded in a four month study of Zelos' parathyroid hormone injections for the treatment of osteoporosis. However, although perhaps indicative of future FDA approval, the positive clinical trials results do not necessarily mean Ostabolin-C will make a significant impact on the osteoporosis market.

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