Memory Pharmaceuticals
Montvale, N.J.
Founded: 1997
www.memorypharma.com

Why It’s Fierce: Memory Pharmaceuticals was founded to advance Nobel Laureate Eric Kandel’s research on memory loss. The company is decoding how the brain transfers information from short-term memory to the mind’s long-term databank. Last year Memory signed a lucrative partnership with Roche to commercialize treatments for Alzheimer’s disease and other neurological disorders.

What to look for in 2003: Memory will use its new financial strength to evaluate in-licensing opportunities in 2003.