E. Gifford Upjohn (1904–1993) was an American executive.
Early life and education
editE. Gifford Upjohn was born in 1904 in Michigan.[1] He was a grandnephew of founder William E. Upjohn.[2] He earned his Ph.D. from the University of Michigan Medical School in 1928 and completed an internship at the University Hospital in Ann Arbor, Michigan.[2]
Career
editUpjohn started his career in 1930 by joining family business, The Upjohn Company.[2]
In 1937, Upjohn company's medical division, at a time when the relationship between pharmaceutical companies and the American Medical Association was marked by skepticism.[2][3]
Upjohn progressed through various roles, becoming vice president and medical director in 1943, and then executive vice president in 1951.[4][2] He was appointed president of the company in 1953, and in 1962, he became chairman, a position he held until his retirement in 1969.[4][2] He remained a board member until 1978.[2]
In 1970, the University of Michigan named a new center for clinical pharmacology after him, when he donated a $1.1 million to the university.[2]
His contributions extended to regulatory matters in the pharmaceutical industry.[3] Upjohn testified at U.S. Senate hearings in 1959 and 1960, focusing on drug pricing.[3] These hearings contributed to legislation that required pharmaceutical companies to demonstrate the safety and effectiveness of their products before market introduction, a shift from earlier regulations that did not mandate such proof through clinical trials.[3][1]
References
edit- ^ a b "E. Gifford Upjohn biography". HBS.
- ^ a b c d e f g h "E. Gifford Upjohn; Former Chairman Of Upjohn Was 89". December 23, 1993 – via NYTimes.com.
- ^ a b c d "Retired Upjohn Co. chairman dies - UPI Archives". United Press International.
- ^ a b "Obituary: E. Gifford Upjohn". The Independent. December 28, 1993.