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GENENTECHAND LEVINSON(1977 TO1995)
In 1977, Genentech produced the first human protein (Somatostatin) in a micro-organism
(E. coli bacteria). Genentech scientists cloned human insulin in 1978 and human growth
hormone in 1979. Boyer felt the need to recruit people, in order to expand Genentech’s
research. So, he went to University of California at San Francisco (UCSF), where he had
worked as a professor of biochemistry. There, Boyer met Levinson and offered him a staff
scientist position at Genentech...
CHASING BLOCKBUSTERS
From 1982 to 1987, Genentech pursued the strategy of licencing its products to other
pharmaceutical companies (Exhibit I).The onlyexception beingProtropin®, forwhich it received
approval to market from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1985. In 1987,
Genentech received the FDAapproval tomarketActivase®5 (Alteplase, recombinant), aTissue
Plasminogen Activator (tPA), to dissolve blood clots in patients with acute myocardial
infarction (heart attack)....
LEVINSON: THE CEO
Levinson thought of leaving Genentech after learning the DNArecombinant technology, in
order to create a company that was dedicated to basic research and showed positive
financial results. Commenting on his tenure with Genentech, Levinson said, “The
biotechnology industry will typically spend up to 40% of its revenues on research and
development, while other high tech fields – computers, semi-conductors – spend a fraction
of that...We’re still expected to make a profit, so it’s a tightrope we’re walking....
UCSD/SALK TRANSLATIONALMEDICINE AWARD
Arthur D. Levinson, and Dr. Dennis Slamon fromthe UCLASchool ofMedicine, were the
joint recipients of the 1999 UCSD/Salk TranslationalMedicineAward. The award is given
for pioneering scientific and clinical work, which leads to therapeutic advances. Levinson
and Slamon were recognised for pioneering efforts that eventually led to the development
and application of Herceptin® antibodies as a new therapy for metastatic breast cancer.
This work represents a pivotal advance in the biologically targeted therapy for this disease...
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