You don't hear the term "overnight sensation" much in biotechnology (in fact, you don't hear it much at all, now that variety show host Ed Sullivan is gone), but the tag seems just right for Alkermes Inc. even if those who know him might have difficulty imagining CEO Richard Pops onstage with a microphone, belting out tunes. (BioWorld Financial Watch)

You might not expect onlookers to be especially sanguine about competitors against erythropoietin king Amgen Inc., which continues to reap revenues galore from its blood-boosting blockbuster drug. Last week, though, two companies with EPO ambitions made news. (BioWorld Financial Watch)