Another Shot

A foursome of young biotechnology entrepreneurs and Ph.Ds, backed by $3 million in private funds, got together in 2004 to form Intezyne. The goal then remains the same today: Use polymers to protect medication until it can reach cancer cells

The company is still around 13 years later. That itself is a major feat in the biopharmaceutical industry, which is long on promise, short on uber-successful gazelles. After more than $25 million in research and development investment, Intezyne has not generated a dime in profit on any of its products and won't do so until 2022, at the earliest, say executives.

But Intezyne, after multiple almost-theres, could really be on to something this time.