NEW YORK - The curiosity of new investors and an apparent financial upswing (heralded partly by the opening squeak of an initial public offerings window) gained credit for drawing a record number of registrants to the Biotechnology Industry Organization's CEO & Investor Conference last week.

Connetics Corp.'s president and CEO Thomas Wiggans called it a "transforming event." Known for Olux and Luxiq, the marketed duo of foams to treat scalp disorders, his company this month entered an agreement to buy exclusive U.S. rights to F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd.'s marketed oral psoriasis drug, Soriatane, for $123 million. (BioWorld Financial Watch)