Scientist led drug research into antibiotics in 1950s

A prominent biochemist with Abbott Laboratories, who was involved with the commercial development of the antibiotic erythromycin in the 1950s, has died.

Waldo C. Friedland died May 14. The 40-year resident of Libertyville, formerly of Waukegan, was 84.

It was in 1952 that Mr. Friedland led a team of scientists in commercially developing erythromycin as an anti-infection drug for people allergic to penicillin. The move advanced the company's role in developing more antibiotics and reaffirmed its position as a leader in the area of infectious disease.

"Wally worked in the lab aspects of bringing erythromycin to large-scale production," said a colleague with Abbott, Donald Cota, a retired scientist from Libertyville.

"It was a very significant discovery," Cota said. "Erythromycin was one of Abbott's biggest products for years."

Later, in the 1960s, Mr. Friedland worked to develop another successful drug for Abbott. This time he developed the culture process for producing gibberellic acid, a hormone that makes fruits and vegetables grow larger and faster. It is widely used today, particularly in the grape-growing industry.

"Wally's interests always leaned toward fermentation," Cota said. "Both erythromycin and gibberellic acid were produced through fermentation."

Family members said that Mr. Friedland's interest in chemistry was instilled in him as a child growing up in Wisconsin.

"He received a chemistry set for Christmas one year and that got him interested in it," said his son, Paul, of Lake Forest. "He began to study it in high school, before pursuing it in college."

Mr. Friedland earned his undergraduate degree in chemistry in 1941 at Iowa State University, before joining the Army Air Corps and serving as a bomber gunner trainer.

Upon his discharge in 1945, he returned to Iowa State, where he earned his master's degree and Ph.D. in biochemistry.

His first job with Abbott took Mr. Friedland and his wife, Lucille, to Waukegan, before they moved to Libertyville where they raised their six children.

Mr. Friedland remained with the company until he retired in 1982. Over the years, he held many scientific and research management positions, including director of new product development.

With his retirement, his son said, he found more time to spend on another passion: genealogy. Through years of research, from the Newberry Library in Chicago to libraries in Boston and across the country, he was able to trace his heritage on his mother's side back to the Mayflower and John Adams.

Mr. Friedland was preceded in death in 2007 by his wife. Besides his son Paul, he is survived by his son David, and daughter, Mary, both of San Francisco; daughters Nancy Florczak (James) of St. Louis, Elizabeth of Seattle and Susan Steigleder (Karl) of Glen Ellyn.

Funeral services have been held.