PISCOL! tasoratories inc

SYRACUSE 1,NEW YORK

January h, 1960

Dr. Joshua Lederberg
715 Partridge Avenue
Menlo Park, California

Dear Joshua:

It has bothered me a great deal that we have not been in a better position

to do justice to your ideas, screwball or otherwise. I think you sense the
reason. At this stage of Bristol's development, we have to grab the ball in

a few limited fields and run like hell heping to outmaneuver some of the big
outfits. On the basis of our various conversations, I am sure you realize that
we also have a great interest in break-throughs based on new techniques, new
approaches and new ideas. There is no question but that we have not been
effective in the latter area and this is something about which I am personally
very much concerned. About the only way I can see our getting into these areas
is through organizing a sizeable facility in Japan. Our management here agrees
and initial conversations are underway that may lead to a substantial research
establishment there.

Cavalli's proposal sounds most interesting and of course we can offer no
objection especially in view of your rather special relationship. Being in a
university atmosphere and free from immediate commercial pressures, the over-
all organizational structure at Pavia is admirably*suited for this type of
work. Add to this the able people there and I am sure interesting things

will happen. Everything considered, however, I think it would be best if we
did not attempt to carve out "areas of interest" between the two groupse We
will not be in a position to work on "substitutional chemotherapy" for a period
of time and accordingly you have our approval to discuss this with then.

There is one aspect you might wish to take up with Cavalli. I do net know
anything about the organization “Interist" and it is probably completely
dominated by Schering. In the event that it is not, we may be interested in
giving it some support should there be some advantage to us in doing so. We
are, as I indicated, interested in new approaches to significant pharmaceutical
developments and, being catholic in tastes, would not be averse to gambling on
an Italian group as well as a Japanese.

We have sincerely enjoyed our association with you, Josh. No matter what the
outcome, I will look forward to a continuing friendship albeit on a more
informal basis. We will figure on a two year “leave of absence" as you
suggested. Perhaps at that time we will be in a better position to take
Dr. Lederberg 2 1/4/60

advantage of you and pick your brains more effectively should the opportunity
present itself,

I am leaving for Japan January 16 and am returning early in February. I will
be in San Francisco at the Mark Hopkins on February 2 and would very much
like you and Esther to be my guests for dinner on the 2nd in one of
San Francisco's justifyably well-know restaurants. Could you drop me a
line at the Imperial Hotel, Tokyo, Japan, letting me know if you can make it?
Can you and Esther meet me at the hotel? It would make things a bit simpler.
Best wishes to you and Esther for a happy and successful new year.

Sincerely,

BRISTOL LABORATORIES INC.

Joséph Lein, Director
Microbiological Research

JLtac