UC San Diego Alumnus Susumu Tonegawa was awarded the Nobel Prize for Physiology or Medicine
In 1987, University of California, San Diego Alumnus Susumu Tonegawa was awarded he Nobel Prize for Physiology or…
Genentech drug Activase (alteplase) was approved
In 1987, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Genentech’s drug tPA Activase (alteplase). Activase is a…
Lawrence Livermore biomedical researchers began studying human chromosome 19
In 1987, Livermore biomedical researchers began studying human chromosome 19. At the same time, Los Alamos began efforts…
Richard Lerner was appointed The Scripps Research Institute’s new director
In 1987, Richard Lerner, chair of the Scripps Department of Molecular Biology, was appointed the research institute’s new…
Integrated DNA Technologies was founded in Coralville, Iowa
In 1987, Integrated DNA Technologies (IDT), a University of Iowa spin-off company founded by Dr. Joseph Walder, established…
Agriculture | Biotechnology | Forestry | Genomics | USDA
Iowa State was the first university to field-test a genetically engineered tree (poplar implanted with a pest-resistance gene from a potato)
In 1987, Dr. Robert Thornburg at Iowa State University (ISU) prepared transgenic tobacco plants expressing a gene that…
Eli Lilly introduced Humulin insulin identical to that produced by the human body
In 1987, Eli Lilly and Company introduced Humulin insulin identical to that produced by the human body. Humulin…
Duchenne muscular dystrophy gene was discovered
In 1987, Boston Children’s Hospital researcher Lous Kunkel and his colleagues discovered the gene that causes Duchenne muscular…
The University of Minnesota Cancer Center received NCI designation
In 1987, the University of Minnesota Cancer Center, now known as the Masonic Cancer Center, received National Cancer…
Biotechnology | Diagnostics | NIH | Oncology | Therapeutics
The Case Cancer Center was founded and became an NCI-designated cancer center
In 1987, the Case Cancer Center (Case CCC) at Case Western Reserve University was both founded and became…
Drs. Patrick and Edith McGeer developed the groundbreaking concept that inflammation plays a role in the pathology of Alzheimer’s disease
In 1987, Drs. Patrick and Edith McGeer developed the groundbreaking concept that inflammation plays a role in the…
Construction was completed on the Vollum Institute for Advanced Biomedical Research at Oregon Health Sciences University
In 1987, construction was completed on the Vollum Institute for Advanced Biomedical Research in Portland. The institute is…
The University of Virginia Cancer Center received its National Cancer Institute designation
In 1987, the University of Virginia Cancer Center (UVA), now known as the UVA Health Cancer Center, received…
Dr. Gerald Nepom, director of the Virginia Mason Research Center, discovered genetic marker for Type I diabetes
In 1987, Dr. Gerald Nepom, the former director of the Virginia Mason Research Center, now known as the…
H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute was dedicated
On Oct. 18, 1986, the Moffitt Cancer Center was dedicated. The center was established in 1981 by the…
Rita Levi-Montalcini won half of the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for the discovery of growth factors
In 1986, Rita Levi-Montalcini was awarded half of the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine ‘for the discovery…
Biotechnology | FDA | Oncology | Therapeutics
Interferon became the first anticancer drug produced through biotechnology
On Jun. 5, 1986, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Hoffmann La Roche’s Interferon initially for…
Genzyme launched an IPO at $10 a share, raising $28.3 million
On Jun. 5, 1986, Genzyme launched an Initial Public Offering (IPO) at $10 a share, and raised $28.3…
The first recombinant vaccine for humans, a vaccine for hepatitis B, was approved
In May 1986, the vaccine Recombivax HB, which protects against hepatitis B infection, was approved for marketing in…
Eli Lilly acquired Hybritech
On Mar. 19, 1986, Eli Lilly acquired San Diego-based Hybritech for $300 million. Hybritech was a leading producer…
Microsoft Corporation completed an Initial Public Offering
On Mar. 13, 1986, Microsoft Corporation, founded by Bill Gates Jr. and the late Paul Allen in 1975,…
Genetic Systems acquired by Bristol-Myers for $310 million
On Feb. 4, 1986, Bristol-Myers announced it would acquire Genetic Systems for $310 million. Genetic Systems was a…
FDA approved Hybritech antibody test for prostate cancer – a first
In February 1986, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Hybritech’s Tandem-R PSA assay (P850048) with calibration…
The Visible Human Project was launched
In 1986, the Visible Human Project® (VHP), an outgrowth of the National Library of Medicine (NLM) Long-Range Plan,…
Lorne Tyrrell discovered the first antiviral drug to inhibit hepatitis B virus
In 1986, while teaching a graduate course at the University of Alberta, Dr. Tyrrell found clues that might…
President Ronald Reagan designated the month of March as Hemophilia Awareness Month
In 1986, President Ronald Reagan designated the month of March as Hemophilia Awareness Month to bring attention to…
The first cannabinoid receptor was documented
In 1986, scientists independently identified the structure of a nerve cell receptor, now called CB1, which responded to…
Biotechnology | CDC | Infectious Disease | Polio | U.S. Congress | Vaccine
The National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986 was enacted by Congress
In 1986, the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act was enacted by Congress. The Department of Health and Human…
BC Transplant (BCT) was established
In 1986, BC Transplant (BCT) was established. BCT directs, delivers or contracts for all organ transplant services across…
UC San Diego was designated one of eight national centers for research and treatment of AIDS
In 1986, University of California San Diego Center for AIDS Research (CFAR) was designated one of eight national…