Companies in the sector are embracing the online world in their efforts to better reach patients, investors, and potential partners.

On March 7, a review appeared on CLLTopics.org discussing the clinical trials of lumiliximab, a drug designed to fight chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). The review was written by Dr. Chaya Venkat, a retired scientist, engineer, and teacher who helped found the Web site following her husband's diagnosis with CLL in summer 2001.

At the end of the review, Venkat writes, "I would ...