Akcea Therapeutics, Inc

In operation since 1981, Genzyme Corporation is one of the leading biotechnology companies in the world. The company employs a staff of more than 12,000 people and manages over 85 locations in nearly 40 countries. It focuses on the areas of hematologic oncology, biosurgery, transplant, genetic diseases, and cardiometabolic and renal. Genzyme Corporation offers Fabrazyme, which is a solution for intravenous infusion. The company also provides Fabrazyme, Renagel, Renvela and Hectorol. It offers solutions for the medical and patient communities. In addition, Genzyme Corporation offers Synvisc, which is a viscosupplementation treatment for relieving knee pain associated with osteoarthritis. The company provides Sepra, which is a line of hyaluronic acid-based products.

Alexion Pharmaceuticals is engaged in the discovery and development of therapeutic products aimed at treating patients with an array of diseases, including hematologic and cardiovascular disorders, autoimmune diseases and cancer. Alexion's two primary product candidates, pexelizumab and eculizumab, are currently undergoing evaluation in several clinical development programs with the Federal Drug Administration. Alexion is engaged in discovering and developing a pipeline of additional antibody therapeutics targeting severe unmet medical needs, through its wholly owned subsidiary, Alexion Antibody Technologies. During the fiscal year ended July 31, 2005, eculizumab was in Phase III clinical development for treatment of paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria , a chronic hematologic disease, and pexelizumab was in clinical development for two acute cardiac indications. Alexion is also pursuing additional potential indications for eculizumab and has other product candidates in earlier stages of development. Alexion Pharmaceuticals is based in Cheshire, Conn.

AVI BioPharma is a biopharmaceutical company that develops drugs to treat life-threatening diseases using its patented third generation antisense technology. It has completed clinical trials with its NeuGene antisense drugs in more than 300 subjects, addressing cardiovascular restenosis, infectious diseases, cancer, polycystic kidney disease and drug metabolism. Its most advanced cardiovascular program is for restenosis, where it has completed Phase II trials, evaluating its drug, Resten-NG. AVI BioPharma is also in a Phase II clinical trial with a drug for Hepatitis C infection and its influenza A drug candidate has been confirmed to have efficacy against avian influenza H5N1 in preclinical studies. AVI BioPharma maintains a location in Portland, Ore.