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…
The National Association for Biomedical Research was founded
In 1979, The National Association for Biomedical Research (NABR) was founded providing the unified voice for the scientific…
The most mutated gene in human cancer, p53, a tumor suppressor gene, was identified
In 1979, the most frequently mutated gene in human cancer, p53, was identified by six groups of researchers…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
Metastatic cells were shown to arise from pre-existing subpopulations of cells in primary tumors
In 1978, metastatic cells were shown to arise from pre-existing subpopulations of cells in primary tumors.
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…
Carl Woese, an American microbiologist, defined Archaea as a new domain
In 1978, Carl Woese, an American microbiologist defined Archaea as a new domain based upon genetic relationships that…
Drs. Shaffer, Hoskins and Hetherington founded the Glaucoma Research Foundation
In 1978, Drs. Shaffer, Hoskins and Hetherington founded the Glaucoma Research Foundation (GRF), now America’s oldest and most…
University of Arizona Cancer Center was designated by the NCI as an official cancer research and treatment center
In 1978, The University of Arizona Cancer Center (UACC) received its first National Cancer Institute (NCI) Support Grant…
The University of California, San Diego Cancer Center was founded
In 1978, the University of California, San Diego Cancer Center was founded as one of just 45 National…
UC-Berkeley scientist Choh Hao Li discovered Beta-endorphin, a substance produced in the brain that acts as a pain killer
In 1978, University of California, Berkeley (UC-Berkeley) scientist Choh Hao Li discovers Beta-endorphin, a substance produced in the…
The Barbara Davis Center for Childhood Diabetes was founded
In 1978, The Barbara Davis Center for Childhood Diabetes (BDC) was founded by Marvin Davis, former chair of…
The CDC held its first international conference on Legionnaires’ disease
In 1978, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) held its first international conference on Legionnaires’…
Biology | CDC | Diagnostics | Infectious Disease | Life Science History | NIH | Plague | Therapeutics | Vaccine
The CDC opened an expanded maximum containment lab (hot lab) for highly dangerous viruses
In 1978, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) completed construction of a new hot lab…
The Cancer Center of Metropolitan Detroit was established
In 1978, The Karmanos Cancer Institute (KCI), a not-for-profit, NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center was founded in metropolitan Detroit….
Biogen was founded
In 1978, Biogen was established in 1978 by a group of scientists and three venture capitalists as Biogen…