1986 - 1991: Early Visions

The founders of the Society believed that SBT would succeed as a vital niche organization with a specialized focus on biological therapies for the treatment of cancer. The American Society for Clinical Oncology (ASCO) was looked at as a model of success for SBT to follow.

Benchmarks:

• John K. Whisnant, MD organizes the first SBT Annual Meeting in 1986 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina
• Robert Oldham, MD establishes the Journal of Biological Response Modifiers; this becomes the official Journal of the SBT
• Steven A. Rosenberg, MD, PhD becomes the new editor of the Journal; the official name changes to the Journal of Immunotherapy
• The major biotechnology companies of the era are Schering-Plough and Roche who market interferon alpha, and OrthoBiotech and Amgen who co-market erythropoietin; Amgen also develops and markets granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF)
• In 1991, Judith Kantor, PhD wins the inaugural "SBT Presidential Award"