Alkermes, whose name is Arabic for "magic potion," is working some biotech alchemy. The firm uses its proprietary drug-delivery systems to make fragile biotech compounds that require less frequent dosing or provide more targeted delivery. Focusing on widespread diseases like diabetes, central nervous system disorders, and addiction, 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 Janssen's schizophrenia medication Risperdal. Another is Vivitrol, a treatment for alcohol dependence that the company markets itself.