Pill that did the opposite affect of boniva (ibandronate) during its r&d beginning something else while its side effect was extreme depletion of calcium?

Nonsense: This is exactly what you don't want. Prednisone would do that and causes bone loss. Boniva (ibandronate) is a bisphosphonate like Fosamax and others with main effect being a reduction in bone mineral loss and a progressive net gain in bone mineral mass. There are long term concerns with this class of drugs now regarding diminished strengh of long bones if taken for more than 5 years.