Diatos
Based: Paris
Founded: 1999

Why it was Fierce in 2004: Diatos was a global company that was in-licensing compounds while developing its own anti-cancer agents. It licensed its lead compound--DTS-201--from Medarex, and was using two peptide-based technologies to push the experimental drugs in its own pipeline. Diatos had six collaborators on its DPV technology, which was aimed at reducing toxicity and improving efficacy--both keys to a successful cancer drug. The company had raised €33 million in venture funding from 1999 through 2004.

Where are they now?: In July of 2007 Diatos announced a €9.4 million round of financing, but since then the company has dropped off the map. Its website no longer exists and according to ClinicalTrials.gov, the company has no clinical trials underway.