Curtis:
I coordinated one of biotech's first "deals" (human anti-Pseudomonas monoclonals), between the Bayer subsidiary Cutter and Genetic Systems, of Seattle. Worked very closely with GS scientists, some of whom were close friends before the biotech industry ever existed.
Genetic Systems was the first "Blech" company, founded by the Blech brothers, Bob Nowinski, and others. GS was sold and subsequently split into two portions, the therapeutic arm of which was Oncogen. Jeff Ledbetter was an employee even before the company (GS) was sold. Lindsley, Damle and others, I believe, arrived in Seattle after Oncogen was already an independent entity, led by George Todaro . BMY subsequently renamed Oncogen to Bristol-Myers Squibb Pharmaceutical Research Institute, a mouthful that took that little, innovative feel away. Dumb.
BMY subsequently closed the Seattle facility. Dumb.
Nowinski is currently CEO of VaxGen.
Todaro is Professor, Department of Pathobiology, University of Washington.
Mark Lostrom, who led the Pseudomonas project at GS (as Director of Therapeutics), is President, Chairman, and CEO of Confirma, Inc.
David Blech's history is well chronicled.
Lotsa stories. Lotsa money. Lotsa fast cars and race horses.
Rick |
