SIGA

As Japan's nuclear crisis deepens, Wall Street may begin to focus on a small group of almost-ignored young biotechs. Known as the bio-defense group, these firms develop products that help protect the population from radiation leaks resulting from nuclear accidents or attacks.

Two biotechs, SIGA and PharmAthene, vying to establish a foothold in the potentially vast biodefense market are in the midst of duking it out in a multibillion dollar legal battle. The crux of the dispute is a smallpox vaccine being developed for the military.