Pablo DT Valenzuela
| Pablo Valenzuela | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Born |
June 13, 1941 Santiago, Chile |
| Nationality | Chilean |
| Fields | Biotechnology |
| Institutions | Fundacion Ciencia Para la Vida Pontifical Catholic University of Chile Universidad Nacional Andres Bello Universidad San Sebastian |
| Alma mater |
University of Chile, Northwestern University |
| Known for | Molecular genetic studies of HBV, HCV, HIV and the invention of the first recombinant vaccine, against HBV. Directed scientists which discovered HCV at Chiron Corporation. |
| Notable awards | Chilean National Award in Applied Sciences and Technologies (2002) |
Pablo DT Valenzuela (born June 13, 1941) is a Chilean biochemist dedicated to biotechnology development. He is known for his genetic studies of hepatitis viruses; participated as R&D Director in the discovery of hepatitis C virus and the invention of the world's first recombinant vaccine (against hepatitis B virus). He is one of the cofounders of the biotechnology company Chiron Corporation and of Fundacion Ciencia para la Vida, a private non profit institution where he is currently working.
Pablo Valenzuela studied biochemistry at Universidad de Chile and earned his Ph.D. degree (1970) in Chemistry at Northwestern University, did a postdoctoral training at University of California, San Francisco and held a position as Professor in the Biochemistry Department of that institution. In 1981, together with William J. Rutter and Edward Penhoet founded the biotechnology company Chiron Corporation that in 1997 was the second-largest biotechnology company in the world, after Amgen. As Research Director Pablo Valenzuela developed a variety of biotechnological products, specially in the blood banking industry. The invention of the recombinant vaccine against Hepatitis B virus was chosen by Business Week as one of the three most innovative technological products of the year 1986. In Chile Pablo Valenzuela founded Bios Chile, the first biotechnology company in that country, and in 1997 together with Bernardita Mendez he cofounded Fundacion Ciencia Para la Vida a non profit foundation that carries out scientific and technological research. He is the father of Chilean American singer/songwriter, Francisca Valenzuela.
Pablo DT Valenzuela is the scientist responsible for the development of biotechnology products in USA and Chile in the area of international diagnostics, blood banking and pharmaceutical. He is cofounder and responsible of early activities of biotechnology Start-ups in USA and Chile. Pablo Valenzuela is also Professor and Investigator in graduate programs, generating scientific publications and patents.
Pablo Valenzuela was recipient of the Chilean National Prize in Applied Sciences in 2002 and is member of the Chilean Academy of Sciences.
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