| (1947
- 1999) |
| Inducted: |
2006 |
| Region: |
U.S. |
| Industry: |
Biotechnology
Research |
|
Robert Swanson co-founded Genentech in 1976 with Dr. Herbert Boyer, a biochemist at the University of California at San Francisco. Swanson, then a 29-year-old venture capitalist, approached Boyer about the possibility of developing biotechnology and marketing useful products using recombinant DNA technology. Swanson served as a director and as chief executive officer of Genentech until February 1990 when he was named chairman of the board, a position he held until his retirement in December 1996.
Although significant advancements were being made in the area of molecular biology in the 1970s, industry had yet to recognize the potential application of the new biologically-based technology to create beneficial new products. Under Swanson’s guidance, Genentech provided broad applications of this science to modern society, developing new products such as human insulin, interferons, human growth hormone, and thrombolytic agents. |
