Genentech

Genentech is a leading biotechnology company based in South San Francisco, California. Founded in 1976 by venture capitalist Robert A. Swanson and biochemist Herbert W. Boyer, Genentech has been at the forefront of the biotechnology industry for over four decades. The company is known for its significant contributions to the field of genetic engineering and has developed numerous groundbreaking therapeutic drugs that have revolutionized the treatment of various diseases.

History

Genentech was established with the goal of using recombinant DNA technology to produce human proteins in the laboratory. The company's first major success came in 1978 when it successfully produced synthetic human insulin, the first ever medicine to be manufactured through biotechnology. This was followed by the development of human growth hormone in 1985, which marked another significant milestone in the field of biotechnology.

In 2009, Genentech was acquired by the Swiss pharmaceutical company Roche, but continues to operate as a separate entity within the Roche group. Today, Genentech is one of the world's leading biotechnology companies, with a diverse portfolio of medicines that treat conditions ranging from cancer and heart disease to rheumatoid arthritis and age-related macular degeneration.

Research and Development

Genentech's research and development efforts are focused on discovering and developing new medicines that can significantly improve patient health. The company's R&D strategy is based on a deep understanding of the underlying biological mechanisms of disease, which enables it to develop targeted therapies that can effectively treat the root cause of the disease.

Genentech's R&D activities are organized into several therapeutic areas, including oncology, immunology, neuroscience, ophthalmology, and infectious diseases. The company's research efforts are supported by a state-of-the-art research facility in South San Francisco, which houses some of the world's leading scientists in the field of biotechnology.

Products

Genentech's product portfolio includes a wide range of therapeutic drugs that are used to treat various diseases. Some of the company's most notable products include Herceptin for the treatment of breast cancer, Avastin for the treatment of various types of cancer, Lucentis for the treatment of age-related macular degeneration, and Rituxan for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and certain types of cancer.

See Also

• Biotechnology
• Pharmaceutical industry
• Genetic engineering
• Therapeutic drugs