Ebb & Flow

Companies and bankers are starting to think that an IPO window will open in Europe next year, and a few companies are starting to prepare for the blessed event.

U.K.-based endocrine and musculoskeletal companyProStrakan is hoping to go public in mid-2005, "if it's the right thing to do," said CEO Wilson Totten. And scuttlebutt suggests that infectious diseases company Arpida in Switzerland, German stroke specialist Paion and Swedish drug delivery and neurology play Orexo are also preparing for a window next year. ...