On Sept. 3, 1992, PathoGenesis Corp. was founded by Robert Nowinski. The company, based in Seattle, developed an inhaled antibiotic to treat lung infections in people with cystic fibrosis.

In 2000, Pathogenesis was acquired by Emeryville, California-based Chiron for $660 million or $38.50 per share, and in 20068, Chiron was acquired by Novartis. On Mar. 22, 2013, the FDA approved TOBI Podhaler (tobramycin inhalation powder) for the management of cystic fibrosis patients with Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The idea behind TOBI originated with A. Smith, an academic investigator at Seattle Children’s Hospital and Research Institute.