In 1976, Genentech, the world’s first biotechnology firm was founded.  Biotechnology combined science and business in a new way: science itself had become an even more viable business, thanks to the revolution in molecular biology.

The development of the biotech industry began with the work of scientists such as Paul Ehrlich, who first suggested the existence of chemoreceptors in 1872.  However, it was not until 1897 that Felix Hoffmann was able to extract and synthesise a substance found in the bark of the willow tree, giving us the drug we know today as aspirin.  1931 saw the discovery of the world’s first chemically synthesised antibiotic, and post-war scientists discovered ground-breaking medicines as beta-blockers.  

Until the 1970s, drug production was limited by the capabilities of synthetic chemistry techniques.  Significant breakthroughs included the development of recombinant DNA: a way of manipulating cellular DNA, to make the cell produce a large amount of a required protein.  This allowed a required protein to be cultured and used in humans to fight disease.  

Biotech firms have been behind some of the greatest breakthroughs in modern healthcare.  Recent milestones include sequencing the human genome and identifying the virus that causes AIDS.  At Tudor Reilly, we use our expertise and passion to communicate the industry’s value to the right people, at the right time, in the right way.

Find out more about our healthcare pr services.

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