Editor's Note: This letter was written by Dr. Jürg Zimmermann, the Novartis chemist who invented Glivec (STI571). This letter was written to the CML International Support Group listserv and reprinted with Dr. Zimmermann's permission.

March 7, 2001

Dear All

I just returned from a business trip to the US (San Diego was wonderful — and much warmer than here in Basel!) and realised what a mess I have created with my auto responder. I apologise to all of you I have annoyed with the "out of office" message.

Although I did not yet posted anything to the group I am already for quit some time a "quiet listener," not for Novartis but for me personally. I was the chemist who designed and synthesized the molecule now called Glivec. It was a very interesting time, we had to make a molecule which inhibits the abl-kinase but not the others. With this selectivity we expected a better tolerated treatment. Also to make the molecule orally bioavailable was quit a challenge and took us some time. It is now very interesting and rewarding to hear about the good news from people like you taking this drug.

My parents were farmers and live in the mountains here in Switzerland. They are already pretty old and never really understood what their son is doing as a chemist. The "making of Glivec" allowed them to understand better what a chemist is doing in pharmacetical research. It is always the dream of a researcher to invent something useful, to make something which improves the quality of life. I hope, Glivec fits into this category.

I wish you all the best for your future, strength to cope with the disease, and joy about any success you have.

I was deeply touched by many of your eMails.

Best regards

Jürg

Give me a holler

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