Deltanoid Pharmaceuticals
Based: Madison, WI
Founded: 2000

Why it was Fierce in 2004: University of Wisconsin-Madison scientist and Deltanoid CEO Henry DeLuca was working on research to rebuild bones. The company had completed a Phase I trial of 2MD and had signed a collaboration deal with Pfizer. Additionally, Deltanoid and Abbott Laboratories had a 20-year deal to develop vitamin D-based drugs for kidney disease.

Where are they now?: Pfizer dropped development of 2MD in 2005 after tests in humans proved to be less promising than those in animals. Deltanoid decided to forge ahead on its own. In the spring of 2007, 2MD went into Phase II studies, and later that year the company rounded up an additional $12 million to fund its research work. It's kept a low profile every since. According to ClinicalTrials.gov, Deltanoid is conducting a Phase II study of DP001, a Vitamin D compound, in postmenopausal women with low bone mineral density.