Biotech Pioneers David Baltimore and Bill Rutter Pass Away
Biotechnology pioneers David Baltimore and Bill Rutter have both passed away recently. Baltimore, known for discovering reverse transcriptase, co-founded several biotech companies. Rutter, who co-founded Chiron, was involved in cloning growth hormone and other significant breakthroughs.
David Baltimore, who died recently, was a key figure in the biotechnology industry. He co-founded several companies, including CalImmune, s2a Molecular, and Immune Design. Baltimore's groundbreaking work includes the discovery of reverse transcriptase and his role as a prime mover at the 1975 Asilomar conference on recombinant DNA technology.
Bill Rutter, who passed away at 97 in July, was another biotech pioneer. He co-founded Chiron in 1981 with Ed Penhoet and Pablo Valenzuela. Rutter's group at UCSF cloned the hepatitis B surface antigen and its expression in yeast in the late seventies. He was also involved in cloning growth hormone and forming relationships with Lilly while at UCSF. As chairman of the Chiron board, Rutter played a crucial role in the company's activities. Chiron, under Rutter's leadership, cloned the hepatitis C virus and helped sequence the HIV genome. It also acquired Cetus, obtaining the PCR patents and recombinant IL2 (Proleukin).
The passing of David Baltimore and Bill Rutter marks the loss of two significant figures in the biotechnology industry. Their pioneering work, including the founding of several companies and key breakthroughs in molecular biology, has left a lasting impact on the field.
