Word: interferon
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Dates: during 1980-1989
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...research of Harvard scientists? For a while the answer seemed to be yes. President Derek Bok floated just such a proposal last month. The centerpiece of the plan was a gene-splicing technique, developed in the labs of Molecular Biologist Mark Ptashne, that can be used to make interferon. In the future, sale of interferon and other genetically engineered products could bring in millions of dollars, so the idea of creating a company to develop and eventually market such products seemed attractive to the managers of Harvard University's $1.6 billion endowment. But as campus debate ensued, the faculty...
These techniques have eased the way for all sorts of gene splicing. By the insertion of appropriate new genes, bacteria have already been "taught" to produce interferon, the antiviral substance that helps the body ward off disease, as well as human insulin. In the offing: gene-replacement therapy for genetic ailments, the creation of new types of plants and industrial enzymes, possibly even an understanding of cancer...
...list of products by Genentech, a four-year-old San Francisco-based firm, reads like a cornucopia of blessings for mankind. It includes a hormone that may stimulate human growth, mass-produced human insulin that could reduce the cost of treating diabetes, and interferon (TIME, March 31), which may be used to treat everything from cancer to the common cold. Shares of Genentech are expected to go on sale soon on the over-the-counter market, and investors are queuing up to buy what some believe will be one of the strongest new issues...
...Rockville, Md., another fast-rising entry in the field, was founded three years ago by Molecular Biologist Leslie Glick and another professional raiser of venture capital, Robert Johnston. Though the company is secretive about its projects, Bristol-Myers revealed that Genex is working for it on the production of interferon...
Biogen S.A., which is based in Geneva, Switzerland, was the first firm to develop bacterial interferon. Founded in 1978, it is operated by a multinational board of directors and scientists. Schering-Plough last year invested $8 million in Biogen in return for exclusive worldwide manufacturing and sales rights to three of its products. Biogen has also found a second way to make interferon and is working on chemicals to cure foot-and-mouth disease, hepatitis and malaria...