Notebook

At its members' meeting on April 13 in Research Triangle Park, N.C., the Association of Biotechnology Companies (ABC) voted unanimously to merge with the Industrial Biotechnology Association (IBA), forming a new group called the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO). The merger becomes official July 1. IBA members had also unanimously endorsed the merger at their meeting in February (Notebook, The Scientist, March 8, 1993, page 4). "I expected a strong vote, but I never expected unanimity," says BIO president Carl Feldbaum. "This gives us enormous momentum in getting the merger done and moving forward as one unified organization." Though the two groups had held opposing positions on several matters (Barbara Spector, The Scientist, Feb. 22, 1993, page 1), Feldbaum says, "We've resolved 99 percent of the issues that had divided the two organizations." Another topic near and dear to the hearts of ABC constituents-- financing--was addressed at the meeting as participants heard a pitch from the chairman of the American Stock Exchange to look to his organization as a source of backing for biotechs in the future. James R. Jones pointed out to his audience that an expected change in the tax code supporting savings and investment will make low-cost capital available to biotech firms. Jones said the AMEX market is an improvement over venture capital, commercial bank lending, attempts at mergers with pharmaceutical and health care companies, and even other stock exchanges, citing such attributes as: a relatively stable trading environment; allowances AMEX provides to companies that make heavy early-stage investments in R&D the creation of an Emerging Company Marketplace for companies too small to qualify for a regular AMEX listing; and Corporate Focus and Security Analyst Forums that bring young companies to the attention of the worldwide investment community. "Clearly the equity markets are the way to go. For many of you, it will ultimately come down to which market can best serve your needs," Jones said. Last December, Penn State astrophysicist Aleksander Wolszczan won the highest scientific honor from his native Poland, the Prize of the Foundation for Polish Science. One month later, the citizens of Torun, Poland, participating in a poll conducted by a local radio station, voted him its third most popular person for 1992. Wolszczan lived in Torun, the birthplace of astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus, for 15 years prior to emigrating to the United States in 1982. Wolszczan made headlines in January 1991 when he published in the journal Nature (355[6356]:145) the first discovery of planets revolving around a pulsar outside our solar system. The bitter, two-year battle between the prestigious Philadelphia- based Wistar Institute and longtime director Hilary Kaprowski, who brought the biomedical institution to prominence over three decades, is over. According to published reports, a lawsuit filed by Kaprowski against the institute was settled April 7, minutes before the trial was to begin in United States District Court in Philadelphia. Kaprowski brought the suit in February of last year, alleging that age discrimination led to his ouster as director of the institute after 34 years, and his replacement by former Wistar associate director and cancer researcher Giovanni ŠRovera in March of 1991. Kaprowski also charged that Wistar officials harassed and retaliated against him after his removal as director. Wistar officials maintained that Kaprowski refused to cooperate with the board of directors in their attempt to implement changes to deal with a mounting financial crisis at the institute. The argument reportedly engulfed the staff of the institute in an internal battle that threatened its future (Jean Wallace, The Scientist, March 2, 1992, page 1). Both parties refused to discuss terms of the settlement, according to the reports, and Rovera will continue as director and Kaprowski as a researcher at the institute. Under the famed virologist and immunologist's direction, the 101-year-old institution created the first vaccine for German measles, developed improved vaccines for rabies, and helped develop monoclonal antibodies as diagnostics and therapeutics. During his tenure, the institute grew from about six laboratories and five senior scientists to about 50 labs and 70 senior scientists with an operating budget of approximately $30 million. Dallas Peck, the 11th director of the 114-year-old United States Geological Survey, resigned April 13 and will pursue full-time field research for the agency. Peck, 64, had been USGS director since 1981 but now says, "It is time for me to return to active research." His specialty is volcanology and the geology of California and the Pacific Northwest. During his tenure at USGS, Peck emphasized what he calls "the science of global change," which is the long- and short-term changes and processes of the Earth's ecosystems. He received his Ph.D. in geology from Harvard University in 1960. The director's post is appointed by the president for an indefinite term, traditionally on the recommendation of the National Academy of Sciences. At press time, a successor to Peck was yet to be selected.

Notebook

The Scientist Staff

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