Oncogene Science

Oncogene Science, founded in 1983, was a pioneering biotechnology company dedicated to developing cancer diagnostics and therapeutics by targeting oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes. The company was a leader in the field, developing the first diagnostic tests for the HER2/neu oncogene, which became a critical biomarker in breast cancer treatment. In 1997, the company transitioned its focus and changed its name to OSI Pharmaceuticals to emphasize its pharmaceutical development pipeline. OSI Pharmaceuticals was later acquired by Astellas Pharma in 2010 for approximately $4 billion, primarily for its blockbuster oncology drug Tarceva (erlotinib).