Biochemistry
1935-2017
Dr. Terence J. Scallen was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He graduated from the College of St. Thomas with a B.S. in Biology-Chemistry in 1957, after which he received his M.D from the University of Minnesota Medical School in 1961, and his Ph.D. in Biochemistry in 1965. Dr. Scallen accepted a position with the University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Department of Biochemistry soon after receiving his Ph.D. and began a distinguished career in research and teaching. As a key member of the research team at Sandoz Pharmaceutical, the biological activity of Lescol, the first synthetic HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor, was discovered in his laboratory at UNM in May, 1983. Final FDA approval for Lescol was given on Dec 31, 1993. Dr. Scallen and his team continued development of new inhibitors of cholesterol biosynthesis research and branched out from this base into molecular control of cellular differentiation and proliferation leading to the discovery of new therapeutic approaches in cancer and immunotherapy. His work produced 18 inventions and over 100 publications in leading research and medical journals. Dr. Scallen amass-ed an exhaustive list of honors and professional activities while being a world renowned expert in the field of Lipid research. Dr. Scallen was a passionate supporter of the Right to Life movement and served as the Director of the committee in New Mexico in 1981 and 1982.
