A handful of people mill around a conference room at Baxter International's headquarters in Deerfield, Illinois, sugaring their coffee or shaking hands in greeting. Windows look out on Interstate 94 as morning commuters pick their way down the Edens Expressway into Chicago. Norbert Riedel, the company's chief scientific officer, smiles as he strides into the room. "Share price yesterday gained 80 cents, which is a good sign," Riedel tells his staff.













