On Feb. 4, 1986, Bristol-Myers announced it would acquire Genetic Systems for $310 million. Genetic Systems was a Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center spin-off founded in 1981 with $40 million raised by Dr. Robert Nowinski, and brothers David and Isaac Blech. In 1981, Genetic Systems completed its Initial Public Offering (IPO) within one month of its formation.

In 1983, Nowinski founded Oncogen as a subsidiary, dedicated to cancer diagnostics. In 1990, Bristol-Myers divested Genetic Systems to Sanofi.