George Rathmann facts for kids
George Blatz Rathmann (1927–2012) was an American scientist and business leader. He was a pioneer in biotechnology, which uses living things to create new products. In 1980, he helped start and became the first CEO of Amgen, a big biotechnology company. Later, he also founded another company called Icos.
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Early Life and Education
George Rathmann was born on December 25, 1927, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. His mother's family was well-known in the area. His father worked in different local businesses. George loved science from a young age.
He was inspired by his older brother and brother-in-law, who were both chemists. His high school chemistry teacher, Mr. Leker, also encouraged him. George first planned to go to medical school. However, he soon changed his mind and decided to study physical chemistry.
He earned his first degree in physical chemistry from Northwestern University in just three years. In 1951, he received his Ph.D. from Princeton University. After finishing school, he was hired by 3M, a large company known for many products.
Career at 3M and Beyond
George Rathmann worked at 3M for twenty-one years. He started as a research chemist, helping to develop products like Scotchgard. This product helps protect fabrics from stains. He moved up in the company, from a scientist to a manager.
In 1972, George left 3M to become the president of Litton Medical Systems. He wasn't happy there, so he left in 1975. He then joined Abbott Laboratories, where he led their research and development in medical testing.
At Abbott, George became very interested in recombinant DNA. This is a way to combine DNA from different sources. It's a key part of biotechnology.
Founding Amgen and Icos
In 1980, some investors asked George Rathmann to help start a new biotechnology company. This company became Amgen. He served as the chairman, president, and CEO of Amgen. Under his leadership, Amgen grew into a very important company in the biotechnology world.
In 1983, George joined the board of directors for the newly formed Biotechnology Industry Organization. This group helps guide the biotechnology industry. He was its chairman from 1987 to 1988.
In 1990, George left Amgen to start another biotechnology company called Icos. This company was located near Seattle. While at Icos, he raised a lot of money for the company. This included an investment from Bill Gates, which was Gates' first investment in biotechnology. George left Icos in 2000.
Awards and Recognition
George Rathmann received many awards for his work as a scientist and business leader. In 1999, he received the first Biotechnology Heritage Award. This award recognized his long career and his important contributions to science and business.
In 2000, he helped fund a special professorship at Northwestern University. He passed away on April 22, 2012, in Palo Alto, California.
Key Awards and Honors
- 1987 and 1988: CEO of the Year by the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO)
- 1992: BioPharm Achievement Award
- 1995: Glenn Seaborg Medal from the University of California-Los Angeles
- 1997: Bower Award for Business Leadership at the Franklin Institute
- 1999: Biotechnology Heritage Award
- 2000: Golden Plate Award of the American Academy of Achievement
- 2001: James Madison Medal from Princeton University
He also received awards on behalf of Amgen from the National Kidney Foundation.
