Science, business

In the 253-page book Science Business: The Promise, the Reality, and the Future of Biotech, a Harvard Business School professor discusses the biotechnology industry and why it has fallen short of expectations. He addresses challenges, including the differing values, norms and practices of the science and business sectors, the risk of investment under the uncertainty and extended time horizons of research and development, and the need to keep pace with advances in drug science and to integrate capabilities across a range of scientific and technological knowledge bases. The author analyzes how the industry works and provides organizational strategies and business models for companies, investors and policymakers interested in improving performance. Charts, graphs, references and an index are provided. Gary P. Pisano; Harvard Business School Press, Boston, 2006; $29.95.