The Passing of Bob Swanson

Washington, D.C. (December 6, 1999) -- ôAs a co-founder of Genentech in 1976, Bob Swanson was the pioneer of a new industry and the force behind a whole new era of modern medicine based upon recombinant DNA technology. His practical vision, along with that of Genentech's other co-founder Dr. Herb Boyer, catalyzed our industry, which has led to state-of-the-art drugs for many previously untreatable diseases, bringing relief to hundreds of millions of people. Mr. Swanson, along with Dr. Boyer, had been awarded the Biotechnology Heritage Award, which was to be presented in Boston at BIO's annual meeting in March 2000. I know I speak not only for BIO staff, but the entire industry in sending our deepest condolences to Bob's family and our friends at Genentech.

ôIt is sad that the very forces that Bob Swanson put into place and energized could not afford him longer life. He leaves us with the certain hope that his efforts will benefit many, many others.ö