Alimera Sciences' tunnel vision is a real asset. The biopharmaceutical company specializes in prescription ophthalmic pharmaceuticals, particularly those aimed at treating ocular diseases affecting the retina. Alimera's most advanced product candidate, Iluvien, is an insert about the size of a grain of rice that slowly releases a drug to the back of the eye used in the treatment of diabetic macular edema (DME); DME, a retinal disease affecting diabetics, can lead to severe vision loss and blindness. Iluvien is effective for up to 36 months and may also have the potential to affect other ophthalmic diseases, such as retinal vein occlusion (RVO). Alimera Sciences is looking to go public through an $80 million IPO.

Archemix Corp., a biotechnology company, engages in discovering, developing, and commercializing aptamer therapeutics for the prevention and treatment of chronic and acute diseases in Massachusetts. The company’s aptamer product candidates include ARC1779 for thrombotic microangiopathyies and carotid endarterectomy surgical procedure. It also offers product candidates for cardiovascular, hematology, and oncology diseases. Archemix Corp. was incorporated in 2000 and is based in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Falcon Pharmaceuticals, Ltd. company specializes in making generic equivalents of ophthalmic drugs that treat a range of eye conditions, as well as otic (ear) and nasal ailments. Its lead product, Timolol GFS, is a generic equivalent of Merck's glaucoma treatment Timoptic-XE gel. Falcon Pharmaceuticals company also offers anti-infective, steroid, anti-viral, anti-allergy, and anesthetic pharmaceutical products without the markup typically associated with brand names. Falcon Pharmaceuticals is a subsidiary of eye care products company Alcon.

Fortitech, Inc. company makes nutrient-rich premixes -- chock full of vitamins, minerals, and other ingredients -- that food and beverage makers add to their products to improve their nutritional content. Companies use Fortitech's custom-made nutrient premixes to fortify a variety of foods and other products, including baby formula, cereals, sports drinks, nutrition bars, supplements, snack foods, noodles, and rice. The firm works with its customers to develop blends that target various health conditions or demographic groups; it then makes and distributes the premixes, which come in both liquid and powder form, from facilities located around the world.

Jamieson Laboratories, founded in 1922, manufactures and sells vitamin, multivitamin, and mineral formulations, as well as nutritional food supplements, cosmetics and skin care products, sports nutritionals, home remedy supplements, and diet and digestive formulations. Products may be purchased through health-food, nutrition, and other specialty retailers around Canada. The company also exports its products to approximately 50 countries in the Americas, Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.

NextGen Group, which does business as NextGen Sciences, puts proteins to the test. The research and development company provides protein analysis services for biotechnology and pharmaceutical customers around the world. Specific services include biomarker discovery and assay development, which are often used in the drug development process to test preclinical and clinical samples for therapeutic efficacy and safety. NextGen's biomarker projects focus on Alzheimer's disease and oncology, among other therapeutic areas. The group has operations in the US and the UK.

Axcan Pharma Inc. company develops and sells drugs mainly to treat gastrointestinal ailments. Its Urso line treats chronic liver disease, while two of its products (Canasa and Salofalk) offer relief for inflammatory bowel diseases. Axcan's Ultrase and Viokase are digestive aids for patients with exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, a condition associated with cystic fibrosis. The firm also owns the global rights to Photofrin, a photodynamic drug developed by QLT with applications for esophageal, gastric, and lung cancers. Other products include ulcer and diarrhea treatments, as well as chewable multivitamins. Axcan was acquired by TPG Capital for $1.3 billion in early 2008.

Shire plc, formerly Shire Ltd. is a specialty biopharmaceutical company that focuses on meeting the needs of the specialist physician. Shire focuses its business on attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), human genetic therapies (HGT), and gastrointestinal (GI) diseases, as well as opportunities in other therapeutic areas. Substantially all of the Company’s revenues and net assets are attributable to the research and development (R&D), manufacture, sale and distribution of pharmaceutical products within two operating segments: Specialty Pharmaceuticals and HGT. The Company’s key marketed products as of December 31, 2008, include VYVANSE; DAYTRANA; ADDERALL XR; PENTASA; LIALDA/ MEZAVANT; FOSRENOL; CALCICHEW; CARBATROL; REMINYL/REMINYL XL; XAGRID; REPLAGAL; ELAPRASE, and FIRAZYR.

Pluristem Therapeutics Inc. was founded in 2001 and is based in Haifa, Israel. Pluristem Therapeutics Inc., a development stage bio-therapeutics company, engages in the research, development, and production of placental-derived adherent stromal cells (ASCs). The company also involves in the commercialization of non-personalized (allogeneic) cell therapy products for the treatment of various severe degenerative, ischemic, and autoimmune disorders. It develops a pipeline of products that are derived from the human placenta, a non-controversial, non-embryonic, and adult stem cell source. These placental adherent stromal cells (ASCs) are expanded in the company’s proprietary PluriX three-dimensional bioreactor, which imitates the natural microstructure of bone marrow and does not require supplemental growth factors or other exogenous materials. The company’s principal product under Phase I clinical trial is PLX-PAD for people suffering from peripheral artery disease. Its pre-clinical products include PLX-IBD for inflammatory bowel diseases; PLX-STROKE for ischemic strokes; PLX-BMT for bone marrow transplantation; and PLX-MS for multiple sclerosis. The company was formerly known as Pluristem Life Systems Inc. and changed its name to Pluristem Therapeutics Inc. in November 2007.

Caprius, Inc. company owns a majority interest in MCM Environmental Technologies, which provides systems for disposal of medical waste. Its SteriMed system can crush, grind, shred, and mix all types of medical waste, including metal sharps and needles, plastic tubing and IV bags, and glass items. Once this process is complete, MCM's Steri-Cid chemical process disinfects the waste, which can then be discarded as regular waste at as little as 10% of the original volume. MCM manufactures the SteriMed system in Israel; the company distributes parts and supplies from facilities in Israel. Officers and directors, led by Austin W. Marxe and David M. Greenhouse hold about 22% of Caprius.

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