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The Mack Center was pleased to join the Franklin Institute in honoring Dr. Franco Zaffaroni, a biomedical pioneer whose influence in the science and business community has extended to entire industries, from birth control and controlled drug devices to gene chips and most recently, inhalation drug technologies. Dr. Zaffaroni (second from right above) provided an intriguing and spellbinding account of his life-voyage from Uruguay to Syntex in Mexico, to his participation in the founding of a family of U.S. biotech companies involved in a host of medical breakthroughs that we now take for granted.

Dennis Wint, President and CEO of the Franklin Institute (left) and Harbir Singh (right), Co-Director of the Mack Center for Technological Innovation at Wharton welcomed Dr. Zaffaroni. Dr. Wint noted that the Franklin Institute has been recognizing excellence in science and business since 1824.

During his 50 year career as a scientist and entrepreneur, Dr. Zaffaroni has made revolutionary strides that have transformed the pharmaceutical industry. His novel methods for controlled drug delivery have improved medical therapy throughout the world. Dr. Zaffaroni, through a combination of scientific creativity and entrepreneurial insight and drive, created new biochemical processes, drug delivery technologies—most significantly, the birth control pill, transdermal patches and once-a-day pills—and pioneered the development of new biomedical industries.

The Bower Award for Business Leadership is presented annually in a chosen category to a leader in American business or industry, who, in his/her life and work, personifies outstanding qualities and attainments in leadership, the advancement of sound economic practices, and adherence to the highest ethical standards. The Bower Award for Business Leadership is a companion award to the Bower Award for Achievement in Science. A specific scientific field of study is chosen annually, and the Business Award is given to an individual in that related field.