William J. Rutter, a scientist who helped create the modern biotechnology industry as the founder of the company that transformed breakthroughs from academic laboratories into commercial drugs, including the first genetically modified vaccine and therapy for multiple sclerosis, died on July 11 at his house in San Francisco. He was 97.
His daughter Cindy Rutter said that the cause was complications of urothelial carcinoma, cancer of the urinary system.
In 1981 they founded Dr. Rutter and two colleagues from California University of California Chiron Corporation in Emeryville, California, together with South San Francisco Start-up Genettech, founded the Bay area as the main capital of the country, the counterpart of the Silicon Valley computing boom.
Chiron specialized in technology of recombinant DNA, also known as the haircut of the gene – the technique of launching the gene from one organism and inserting into the bottom of another organism.
In 1968 Dr. Rutter, biochemist, hired the University of California in San Francisco to help transform it into a research powerhouse with financing from national health institutions. He helped pioneers of science of genetic engineering – the basis of the biotechnological industry, which distinguishes it from traditional pharmaceutical development.
He began Chiron (declared Ky-Ry) with Pablo DT Valenzuela, a colleague of biochemist in UCSF, and Edward E. Penhoet, a professor at the University of California in Berkeley; Dr. Rutter was the Chairman of the Board of Directors. Society was named for the Centaur in Greek mythology known for its skill in medicinal art
The company research has led to the first genetically modified vaccine, for hepatitis B, a widespread virus that attacks the liver with potentially fatal results.
Chiron also helped the sequence of HIV genome, which causes AIDS in 1984.
In 1993, the Company received approval of food and drug administration for the first federally sanctioned treatment for multiple sclerosis, a nervous disorder affecting an estimated 300,000 Americans.
And Chiron discovered Hepatitis C virus, a breakthrough that made it possible to develop diagnostic tests and the treatment of the disease that once spread through contaminated blood transfusions. Chiron Scientist, Michael Hothhton, shared the Nobel Prize 2020 for discovering hepatitis C.
In 1995, Dr. Rutter Heinz price For technology, economy and employment of its role in creating the biotechnological industry.
“Dr. Rutter was among the first to recognize the potential of biomedical sciences to produce tradable goods and services,” the price quotes read.
Dr. Rutter was born on August 28, 1927 in Malalad City, Idaho, in the southeast corner of the state. His father, William Henry Rutter, ran a grocery store and his mother Eliza (Dredge) Rutter was an accountant.
At the age of 15, Bill, as I knew, left his local high school to apply for college in Utah. While he was there, he was identified and accepted by the Harvard University through a program to find promising students from insufficiently represented regions. In 1949 he graduated from Harvard with BS in biochemistry. Acquired by Ph.D. In biochemistry from the University of Illinois in 1952 and taught chemistry there for decades. He went to teach biochemistry and genetics at the University of Washington.
After joining UCSF as chairman of his biochemistry and biophysics department, he created a model in which elite scientists conducted research in small independent laboratories.
In 1977, two of these laboratories – including one led by Dr. Rutter – a breakthrough of an insulin -insulin gene insulation and through a gene montage to transplant into E. coli bacteria.
On the way to the production of genetically modified human insulin, hormone necessary for life and lack of millions of people with diabetes.
Herbert Boyer, who founded the Genets with risk capitalist Robert A. Swanson in 1976, and a mass production in 1982 was licensed with Eli Lilly.
In addition to his daughter, Dr. Rutter son William Henry Rutter II; grandson; And two sisters, Helen Gygi and Karen Randall.
During his business career, Dr. Rutter continued to hold academic positions in UCSF and retired in 1991 as an emeritus professor. The university said That he published over 380 scientific papers, many written with colleagues and that he held more than 25 patents.
In 1987, Genetic Engineering News reported that Dr. Rutter held more than $ 20 million in Chiron Stock. In 1991 Chiron joined with Cetus, another biotechnology company Bay Area. Chiron continued to acquire European vaccine manufacturers and became the fifth largest vaccine manufacturer in the world.
In 2005, Novartis, Switzerland, founded Chiron in an agreement that appreciated $ 9.5 billion.
