>doesn't GTCB have a patent application for EPO-albumin or something?< Yes, and the patent has already issued. It’s USPTO #7,101,971: <A HREF="http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&d=PALL&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsrchnum.htm&r=1&f=G&l=50&s1=7,101,971.PN.&OS=PN/7,101,971&RS=PN/7,101,971" target="_blank">http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&d=PALL&p=1&u=%2Fne...</A>