DuPont researchers have even spliced a gene from a spider into a bacterium that produces a polymer similar to the spider's web. The polymer could one day be spun into fabric like nylon. At the heart of all these biotech marvels are genes, and that's where outfits like Perkin-Elmer's new venture come in. Called genomics companies, such businesses focus on finding genes, understanding what they do, and selling the information to somebody who wants to exploit it. In the past five years, dozens of genomics firms have sprouted up around the country to supply big drug companies, little biotech start-ups, and agriculture manufacturers with the raw information they need to be able to bioengineer their new products.
Companies are willing to pay top dollar for the information.
If farmers make more money with our products, then we are going to be around for a long time. The pair expects to make money practically from the start, by putting their raw data on the Internet in monthly or quarterly installments and charging academic scientists a small fee to use it. Venter and White will charge a premium to drug companies for more complete information about the 100 to 300 genes that are likely to be important in human diseases. We have no debt. We have a great business opportunity.