Business: M as in Money

PHARMACEUTICALS

"We do not choose to be a common company," says Ewing Marion Kauffman, 51, founder, president and principal stockholder of Kansas City-based Marion Laboratories, Inc. "It is our right to be uncommon if we can." Uncommon is hardly the word for Kauffman's pharmaceutical firm, which was founded on poker winnings, grew by selling ground oyster shells, and has made wealthy people out of typists and maintenance men who bought stock for around 66ยข a share when the company was young. They have since seen their shares increase to $64.50.

Kauffman's oyster...

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