Alkermes plc

Type: Public
On the web: http://www.alkermes.com
Employees: 600
Employee growth: 5.3%

Alkermes is working some medicinal alchemy. The firm uses its proprietary drug-delivery systems to make compounds that require less frequent dosing or provide more targeted delivery. Focusing primarily on psychiatric medications, it has a couple of drugs on the market that use its injectable extended-release technology, which lets patients take a drug once or twice a month, rather than once or twice a day. One such drug is Risperdal Consta, a long-acting version of Johnson & Johnson's schizophrenia and bipolar I medication Risperdal. Another is Vivitrol, a treatment for alcohol dependence. Alkermes plc was formed in September 2011 through the merger of US-based Alkermes Inc. and Elan Drug Technologies (EDT).

Key numbers for fiscal year ending December, 2011:
Sales: $186.6M
One year growth: 4.7%
Net income: ($45.5)M

Officers:
Chairman and CEO: Richard F. Pops
President: Shane M. Cooke
SVP, COO, and Chief Risk Officer: Gordon G. Pugh

Competitors:
Abbott Labs
Eli Lilly
GlaxoSmithKline