Scott McPherson's Web Presence

We have lost Graeme Laver.

Dr. Laver was one of the modern pioneers in the field of influenza research, and his work helped pave the way for N-class antivirals such as Tamiflu and Relenza. An Australian, Dr. Laver was widely respected by his peers for his superb work and his personality.

That personality can best be gauged by this homage, written by his close friend and longtime colleague Dr. Robert Webster yesterday.  The passage appeared in the pro-MED post notifying the world of its loss:

"In classical Graeme style, he finished his life with a great flourish while on his way to a scientific meeting on influenza in Portugal.

"The air traffic controllers cleared the air space over Heathrow so that he could receive rapid medical attention. We his friends all know that he would have reveled in the mayhem caused had he been aware of it."

ABC News Australia has a short summary of his life:

Well-known Canberra scientist Graeme Laver has died in London at the age of 79. Dr Laver researched the influenza virus for more than 30 years and helped develop the anti-flu drug Relenza. In 1996, Dr Laver was awarded the Australia Prize for excellence in the field of pharmaceutical design. [In addition to being awarded the Australia Prize, he was a member of the Royal Society of London]. Professor Adrian Gibbs worked with Dr Laver at the John Curtin School of Medical Research. "With the 2 vital discoveries that Graeme made, he really worked out the major foundation of influenza biology in that period of 20 years and how to control it," he said.

But an interview with Washington University's Virology History department in St. Louis, Missouri, helps showcase his life's work. The interview is fascinating and informative and also helps us better understand the dynamics of the 1968 pandemic of H3N2. Here's the link:

http://virologyhistory.wustl.edu/Laver.htm

Dr. Webster further goes on to describe his friend Laver's work:

"Graeme Laver, the maverick of influenza research in Australia, was always prepared to challenge authorities. He established the biochemical basis of antigenic drift and shift in seasonal and pandemic influenza viruses and played a key role in the development of the anti-influenza drug Relenza. It was Graeme's contention that antiviral drugs (Relenza and Tamiflu) should be available in everyone's medicine cabinet. His argument is that many will die in an influenza pandemic before available stockpiles could be distributed.

"He also contended that those claiming that this would promote antiviral resistance have got it wrong!"

The Tamiflu over-the-counter reference was covered by yours truly last year, during Australia's severe flu epidemic. Dr. Laver made headlines by staunchly advocating the immediate sale of Tamiflu over-the-counter.

One less maverick means one less person to question the existing world order when it comes to flu research.  We commend Dr. Laver for all he did in his life to save us from the next pandemic, and to reduce the severity of influenza.  Thank you, Dr. Laver.