Avalon Pharmaceuticals
Gaithersburg, Md.
Founded: 1999
www.avalonrx.com

Why It’s Fierce: The company’s multi-parameter disease model promises to reduce development time for small molecule drug by two to four years. The key to Avalon’s promise is its unique mix of high-throughput screening technology and respected cadre of biologists. Co-founder and CEO Kenneth Carter led Human Genome Sciences’ gene mapping program from 1993 to 1998. We think Carter's team is building a powerful portfolio of cancer drugs to complement its drug screening technology platform.

What to look for in 2003: Avalon will emerge this year as one of few survivors in the crowded high throughput screening field.