Two-horse race for TPO

Two-horse race for TPO The thrombopoietin picture became a bit clearer last week, as Amgen Inc. and partner Kirin licensed rights to Novo Nordisk's technology covering the platelet booster. That leaves AMGN and Genentech Inc. to square off in the race to get through clinical development, and potentially in a battle over patent rights.

Novo Nordisk and its ZymoGenetics subsidiary licensed to Kirin, AMGN and their Kirin-Amgen joint venture rights to market and sell TPO. Novo Nordisk will receive an up-front payment and royalties on sales...