William J. Rutter

Dr. Rutter is Chairman and CEO of Synergenics, LLC, a consortium of companies which receive financial support, legal, and strategic scientific and business advice and services. Previously, Dr. Rutter cofounded Chiron Corporation in 1981 and served as its executive chairman until 1999. He served as Chairman of the Department of Biochemistry at UCSF from 1969-1982, and head of the Hormone Research Institute from 1982-1989. His lab is recognized for contributions to development of recombinant DNA technologies and some of its early achievements, including the cloning of the insulin gene and the development of a vaccine for hepatitis B. He is a member of the U.S. National Academy of Sciences and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. He has received numerous honors including the Heinz Award; the Bower Award and Prize for Achievement in Science from the Franklin Institute; and the Biotechnology Heritage Award.