The Golden Helix: Inside Biotech Ventures (Hardcover)

by Arthur Kornberg (Author) "At the end of 1993, there were 1272 biotechnology companies in the United States..." (more)
Key Phrases: biotech ventures, New York, San Francisco, Alex Zaffaroni (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review
"...smartly written work that will reward readers in academe and industry." -- Nature

"A fascinating adventure into the interworkings of the emerging biotechnology industry and its complex relationship to academic scientists." -- Leroy Hood, Univ. of Washington

"Anyone fascinated with modern science, particularly biotechnology, will appreciate this book." -- Choice

Product Description
This candid narrative by Nobel laureate, Arthur Kornberg, chronicles the saga of a small biotech start-up, the key players, the painstaking development of the perfect product, and the forces affecting its resulting success or failure. Kornberg's razor-sharp wit and provocative opinions make this book a compelling page turner, whether he is decrying the current fashion in scientific funding or delving into the hotly contested PCR patent trial.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 287 pages
• Publisher: University Science Books; 1 edition (March 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0935702326
• ISBN-13: 978-0935702323
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.5 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,687,928 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Disappointing if you are seeking business insights, July 18, 2000

By	Mrs J White (London, England) - See all my reviews

A good book if you want resumes of biotech industry pioneers, but written from a strongly US-centric and scientific rather than commercial point of view. I had hoped to gather insights into what it's like being part of a new start-up venture, but instead found little more than generous (if uncritical) praise of the scientific workers involved in the story.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Biotech industry in a nutshell, April 18, 2000

By	Yali Friedman (Washington, DC) - See all my reviews

Arthur Kornberg starts by describing how, as an academic, he was opposed to the commercialization of biotechnology. He describeshis role on the advisorial board at DNAX and identifies the key elements for success in any biotech company. Kornberg details the risks in biotechnology and discusses the pros and cons of commercial biotechnology, and his take on patents - "Secrecy is corrosive; it makes even less sense in industry than in academia." In the end, he concludes that industry, not academia, is where the most productive science takes place.

3 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars reality check for academicians considering industry, July 20, 1999

By A Customer

an autobiographical journey through the minds and hearts of the scientist/ buisnessman. A must for scientists trying to understand how people can do science AND make money!