And the company, based in Rockville, Md., already is at work on plans to develop its own drugs. We want to continue to drive things, absolutely. Still, Celera has yet to make a profit from its genome data. As Celera scientists set about the arduous task of identifying specific genes and their functions, they'll be laying the groundwork for dramatic discoveries to come. This year, Celera will decode the proteins produced by genes - a crucial step in finding cures for cancer and other conditions.
Success is no sure thing.
Celera's stock price has seesawed as investors' enthusiasm for genomics has wavered. And scientific progress, of course, does not follow quarterly report schedules. What's more, public concern about genetic privacy and the ownership of genetic information could pose problems for Celera. How Venter balances the forces of the market, science and government in 2001 will help set the course for biotechnology's evolution for years to come. Privacy Policy Stock data provided by Stockpoint and its data suppliers.