From Alchemy to IPO: The Business of Biotechnology

by Cynthia Robbins-Roth

It is impossible to dispute the extraordinary impact biotechnology is having on our everyday lives. From Alchemy to IPO presents the dramatic story of the revolutionary and controversial business of inventing new cures and blockbuster drugs and a look at how biotech progress is generating powerful profit opportunities on all tiers of business and investment. Written by a well-known industry insider, From Alchemy to IPO addresses the coming-of-age of biotech products and companies and traces the history of biotechnology from its early inception in the '70s to today's heyday of new solutions and breakthrough treatments. It describes the amazing entrepreneurial trail of product development, novel business models, and critical trials that eventually pave the way to market, and describes advances, such as deciphering the genetic code and gene therapy, that just may lead biotech to a higher realm altogether. This is the first book to accurately record the inner workings of an industry-biotechnology-that's on the verge of living up to its monumental promise to change the world as we know it.

Genres: Business, Science, Biology, Finance, Health Care, Nonfiction, Technology

272 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2000

Reviews

[Yang Zheng · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good high level overview of the very broad landscape of biotechnology from the science to the business. It’s out of date, but many concepts are surprisingly enduring. A good place to start but better books can be found about specific sections of the book.

[David Usharauli · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was published in 2000 and recounts some of the details of how biotech industry came to existence in late 1970s in USA.

The author, Cynthia Robbins-Roth, as she writes, was one of the early employees of biotech pioneer Genentech (at the time of the book publication though she had her own biotech consultancy business). Genentech is considered even today after 40 years since its foundation a leading biotech company and consistently ranks as one of the best, if not the best place to work for biotech oriented researchers.

Regarding this book. It is quite superficial and takes overly positive look at the industry. It lacks critical assessment. It is for readers who do not look for understanding but rather for general information regarding what is biotech and how it started out.

posted by David

http://bookidealist.blogspot.com/2017...

[Mike · Rating 4 out of 5]

When written, this book by a biochemist turned biotech investor and business-woman was an amazing, utterly amazing, look into the world of biotech biz. However, that was over a decade ago. Hence the docking of one star out of what would otherwise be five: Dr. Robbins-Roth needs to revise this, bring it up to date and put out a second edition. The time is now, because in the passing years much has changed in the biotech arena. Still, there is a lot that is useful here in how the early 1990s biotech firms found their way from idea to actual venture and how biotech works in general. Dr. Robbins-Roth is a good writer, too, showcasing a sense of plain prose too rare with professional scientists.

[Hom Sack · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although dated (by 15 years), the author presents a history of the development of biotechnology. That combined with explaining how the business of biotechnology works makes the book an interesting read. Most valuable of all are the investment advice offered.

[Adam · Rating 4 out of 5]

good, but outdated

[Julia Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting if you're into biotech...

[Brad · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book for anyone wanting to understand how science gets integrated into the "real world".