The Interferon Tournament: The First Great Race in Biotech

In 1980, what the public most wanted from newfangled gene-splicing technology was interferon. Patients imagined a cure for cancer, scientists dreamed of the Nobel they'd win for cloning it, while venture capitalists saw dollar signs. This talk recounts the race to clone interferon and the subsequent sweepstakes to profit from it. The history of interferon offers a compelling narrative of the early collision of high-stakes science with high finance. Nicolas Rasmussen has written extensively on the history of experimental biology, the history of pharmaceuticals, and their intersection in the emergence of the biotechnology industry. Co-sponsored by Science & Society Distinguished Speaker Series and the Jenkins Chair for New Technologies in Society. The event is open to the public and will be followed by a reception. For more information, please contact Lola Martin at lola.martin@duke.edu.