There are many times when hand-mixing ingredients can achieve a particularly effective end result, like beautifully elastic pizza dough or a lump-free gravy. When it comes to treating heart conditions, however, time is of the essence. For instance, ventricular fibrillation, a condition that causes the lower ventricles to rapidly contract and pump little to no blood, can lead to collapse and cardiac death within minutes if not immediately treated.

That's where Prism Pharamceuticals comes in. In late 2010, the King of Prussia-based specialty pharma firm that's focused on developing and commercializing acute care cardiovascular products, received approval from the Food and Drug Administration for its premixed, intravenous bag called Nexterone, which delivers the effective anti-arrhythmic agent amiodarone IV more quickly, efficiently and accurately.

The use of pre-mixed, ready-to-use treatments has been recommended by such industry players as the Joint Commission, U.S. Pharmacopeia, and the American Society of Health System Pharmacists. Nexterone can also be used to treat ventricular tachycardia (rapid heart rate) and comes in several dosage strengths. The mixture has a two-year shelf life and is designed for use in automated dispensing cabinets and crash carts.

Prism also introduced a new Chair of its Board of Directors, 30-year pharma vveteran Carrie S. Cox, who will help drive the launch of Nexterone. She is a six-time member of Fortune magazine's 50 Most Powerful Woman in Business list. Prism, which launched in 2004, secured a $68 million layered financing in 2006 that helped pave the way for aggressive licensing and rapid development of Nexterone.