Achillion Pharmaceuticals 
New Haven, CT
Founded: 1998

What we said: In 2003, Achillion's (ACHN) lead drug candidate, ACH-126, was in mid-stage studies for hepatitis B and HIV. We predicted then that the combo of maturing pipeline and Bristol-Myers Squibb alums could win the biotech a lucrative partnership.

What happened: Achillion's hard work paid off when, in 2004, the company landed a deal with biotech giant Gilead Sciences for the development and licensing of hepatitis C treatments. Two years later, the company successfully went public, garnering $51.8 million in an IPO. Now 11 years old, Achillion has four drug candidates in its pipeline. Its lead candidate, elvucitabine, is in mid-stage studies for HIV. Also under development is ACH-702, a treatment for hospital-acquired bacterial infections, and two hepatitis C compounds under development in collaboration with Gilead.

View the original Fierce 15 of 2003 report.