Stanford Medicine researchers discovered dynorphin, a brain chemical 200 times more powerful than morphine
On Dec. 21, 1979, Stanford Medicine pharmacologist Avram Goldstein announced the discovery of dynorphin – a chemical in…
Gladstone Institutes was founded
In 1979, the Gladstone Institutes was founded from an endowment from J. David Gladstone, a self-made man who…
Joan Steitz discovered snRNPs
In 1979, Joan Steitz discovered snRNPs, RNA-protein complexes in the cell’s nucleus that perform a crucial step in…
First insulin pump for diabetes was developed
In 1979, Dr. Robert Sherwin and Dr. William Tamborlane from Yale University announced they had developed an insulin…
The last wild case of polio was recorded in the U.S.
In 1979, the last wild case of polio was recorded in the U.S. However, in 1993, the virus…
Medtronic established a Heart Valves division
In 1979, Medtronic established a Heart Valves division and introduced the Medtronic Hall mechanical heart valve. This prosthetic…
Dr. Norman H Cromwell became acting director of the Eppley Cancer Center
In 1979, Dr. Norman H. Cromwell of the Department of Chemistry, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, became acting director of…
Dr. William Thurman became head of OMRF
In 1979, Dr. William Thurman took the helm of the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation (OMRF) and helped establish…
Centocor was founded
In 1979, Centocor was founded – one of the nation’s first biotechnology companies best known for developing Remicade…
The University of Pennsylvania’s Institute on Aging was created
In 1979, the University of Pennsylvania’s Institute on Aging (IOA) was created to improve the health of the…
Biology | Diagnostics | Disease | FDA | Life Science History | Non-Profit Research | Oncology | Therapeutics
FDA approved Cisplatin, a platinum-containing anticancer compound
On Dec. 19, 1978, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved cisplatin (Platinol) for use in combination…
President Carter signed the Community Mental Health Centers Act
On Nov. 9, 1978, the President Jimmy Carter signed the Community Mental Health Centers Act (P.L. 95-622) amending…
The first human testing of a biological therapy was conducted (alpha-interferon)
On Nov. 9, 1978, the first human testing of a biological therapy was conducted (alpha-interferon). The Cancer Research…
The University of Washington Health Sciences Building was renamed the Magnuson Health Sciences Center
On Oct. 3, 1978, the University of Washington Health Sciences Building was renamed the Magnuson Health Sciences Center…
Genentech successfully cloned the gene encoding human insulin in Escherichia coli bacteria
On Sept. 6, 1978, Genentech, the most successful of the new biotech start-up companies, announced that scientists at…
The first test-tube baby was born in the United Kingdom
On Jul. 25, 1978, the first test-tube baby was born in the United Kingdom. Louise Joy Brown is…
Ontario researchers demonstrated that Aspirin can prevent strokes
On Jul. 13, 1978, Ontario researchers published the results of a study led by Dr. Henry Barnett that…
The CDC reported the first drug-resistant tuberculosis outbreak
In May 1978, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported a patient was first diagnosed…
The Priestley Medal was awarded to Melvin Calvin
In 1978, The Priestley Medal was awarded to Melvin Calvin by the American Chemical Society “to recognize distinguished…
Yellow fever vaccine (YF-Vax by Connaught) was licensed in the U.S.
On Jan. 3, 1978, the Yellow fever vaccine (YF-Vax by Connaught) was licensed in the U.S. The Yellow…
Monovalent group A, group C meningococcal vaccines, and a bivalent vaccine for both groups A and C were licensed
On Jan. 3, 1978, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) licensed the Monovalent group A (Menomune-A by…
FDA Approved Cialis(R) (tadalafil) for Once Daily Use for the Treatment of Erectile Dysfunction
On Jan. 8, 2008, Eli Lilly announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) had approved Cialis(R)…
Biogen was founded
In 1978, Biogen was established in 1978 by a group of scientists and three venture capitalists as Biogen…
Prenatal DNA sequencing was developed at Boston Children’s
In 1978, Boston Children’s researcher Stuart Orkin and his team developed a new DNA sequencing technique for prenatal…
The NCI awarded the Cancer Center of Metropolitan Detroit with comprehensive status
In 1978, the National Cancer Institute (NCI) awarded the Cancer Center of Metropolitan Detroit with comprehensive status. Known…
Biotechnology | Diagnostics | NIH | Oncology | Radiology | Therapeutics
The Norris Cotton Cancer Center received NCI Cancer Center designation
In 1978, the Norris Cotton Cancer Center in New Hampshire received National Cancer Institute (NCI) designated in recognition…
Squibb formed ConvaTec as a separate division to develop adhesive skin barriers and products that could give people with an ostomy new freedom
In 1978, Squibb formed ConvaTec as a separate division to develop adhesive skin barriers and products that could…
Johnsonﾠ &ﾠ Johnson announced plans to build new World Headquarters in New Brunswick, New Jersey
In 1978, Johnsonﾠ & ﾠJohnson announced plans to build their new World Headquarters in New Brunswick, New Jersey….
Dr. Shannon Lucid selected by NASA as one of the first female astronauts
In 1978, Dr. Shannon Lucid, a researcher in the Biomembrane Research Laboratory, was selected by NASA as one…
The Carbone Cancer Center Clinical Sciences Center was completed
In 1978, the Carbone Cancer Center Clinical Sciences Center was completed in January adding over 70,000 square feet…