Living Proof Page #2

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Linking the HER-2 protein

with cell growth in breast tissue.

I did that right here in this lab.

Step two is to create

a drug from HER-2.

That's where we are right now.

I'm doing some of that work right here.

And they're doing the

rest of that at Genentech.

- And that's the drug company.

- Right

- It's a biotech company open in

the Bay Area. - And biotech is...

Is looking for medicines

based on molecular biology.

Step three is the mouse

protein experiment.

I'll explain more about that

when we get a little bit closer.

Steps four, five and six are

the FDA clinical drug trials.

To see if the drug works

and how well it works.

Which will lead us to step seven, the

Holy Grail, our drug is approved.

San Francisco

GENENTECH HEADQUARTERS

Hey Blake. Blake. You're not

gonna believe this new data.

I was trying to catch you before

you go on the plane. I got some bad news.

Okay. How much are they

cutting up budget this time?

I'm sorry, Denny.

Board's decided not to continue with HER-2.

You did not just say that.

They think cancer research

just carries too much risk.

What? They're just deciding that now?

We spent six years on this.

Yeah, and they've been dragging

their feet every step of the way.

But we're getting close. You know we are.

The board knows it too.

Try to see their perspective.

Continuing will cost millions of dollars

and the drug might not work.

But it might!

- Take a look at the new data.

- I'm a believer based on the old data.

It's a hard pill, Denny,

but you gotta swallow it.

We can't stop.

Not until we know what we have.

- Dinner is ready.

- I need to finish.

What's going on?

You haven't said two words all day.

Genentech is dropping HER-2.

- So you'll take it to another drug company.

- I can't.

Genentech owns the rights.

- But you developed the drug.

- It doesn't matter.

Okay? I did it using one of their genes

so it belongs to them.

Honey, you have been in this position before

and you always work it out.

I'm really not in the mood

to be cheered up right now. Okay?

I don't care.

I don't. It's Sunday, the one day

of the week that's ours.

And on Sunday, I don't care about cancer,

HER-2 or Genentech.

Just our family.

That was our deal from day one.

So stop feeling sorry for yourself,

put a smile on that cute face

and come in for dinner.

Daddy!

You're just in time for the

10 o'clock tune-up special

Well, if I were staying,

I'd take you up on it.

You should stay. It's his first birthday.

We can have another cake

at dinner tomorrow.

A yard full of screaming children,

it's not my cup of tea.

Come on, it'll be fun.

I hardly get a chance to see you.

- Really? And that's something you want?

- Just as much as you do.

- If she is sleeping, just let her.

- Sleeping? This hour?

She is tired. Taking care of two boys

is a lot of work you know.

You mean three.

Your film looks fine.

Lie down, please.

Lift your left arm.

Have you noticed any lumps or

anything unusual since your last visit?

- No.

- Right arm.

Are you doing your weekly self-exams?

- Like clockwork.

- Good.

You're fine. See you in six months.

Wham bam thank you ma'am, you too.

I'm sorry.

I've been paging you and paging you.

You need to jump on a plane.

- Blake called and he said it's urgent.

- Good urgent? Bad urgent?

He wouldn't say. But it's gotta be good.

You're right.

I've got the smallest budget at UCLA

the smallest lab and no

Genentech money. Not gonna be worse.

It's gonna be good. You're due.

See you soon.

I don't believe it! How in the world

did you get the board to change its mind?

- It's simple. Just committed career suicide.

- You committed what?

I can devote 20% of my time

to any project I want.

I chose HER-2.

It did not go over very well, believe me.

And if we screw this up,

I'm pretty sure I'll be free to leave.

We won't screw it up.

God help me for believing in you and this.

I'd sleep a lot better at night if I didn't.

But listen, you're gonna have to take

that lead foot of yours off the gas

We're gonna have a lot less

lab time and money.

- Got it.

- I'm serious.

However slow it's going now,

ratchet that down by half.

You know what? It really doesn't matter

I mean we're still in the game, right?

Which is more

than we could say two days ago.

Realistically though,

how soon do we get a bigger budget?

Get out. Get out. Put the

globe back and get out.

So, did you decide on the teaching job?

I'm too busy around here.

The paycheck would have been nice though.

- Oh come on, you're a doctor's wife.

- A university doctor.

He gets a teacher's paycheck.

I'm not complaining.

It's just we're gonna have to win the

lottery when it comes time for college.

You know, if you do win, and you need a

bad influence, I know just the stores.

Maybe once free. I'll give the rest

to Denny for his research.

No. Let Genentech pay for that.

I can't count on them. They're constantly

threatening to cut his funding.

But he's trying to cure cancer.

Who wouldn't support that?

Well, if they get behind the drug

and it fails,

It could bankrupt the whole company.

They're terrified.

- Well he never said anything to me.

- You know Denny.

He could break his arm

and you wouldn't know it.

He's really suffering.

- Don't say anything.

- I won't.

I've made a decision. I'm going

to raise money for your research.

You're going to what?

Last night, I was sitting in my

Beverly Hills home,

with my wonderful husband

and my beautiful daughter

and I was suddenly overwhelmed

with how much I've been given.

I need to start giving back.

I'm going to do it through you.

Very very generous of you, Lilly,

but I can't let you do that.

You need the money.

What? You're going to cure cancer in here?

Lilly, the fact that you would even think

about doing something like that for me,

means more than I can say.

But I can't let you do that.

We're friends.

Are you kidding me?

You spent I don't know

how many days and nights

Away from Donna and the kids,

with Brandon's chemo

and helping me get through it.

You saved him. That makes us more

than friends, Denny. We're family.

Yes, which is why

I can't take your money.

It's not going to be my money.

I'm going to raise it.

- No.

- No?

Look, Mr. "I don't care if I work

in the smallest lab in the universe"

I'm offering you money

for your research.

Now, if you don't want it, I'll go

find some other deserving doctor who does.

Great. Now can we be done

with this conversation?

You absolutely stink at accepting gifts.

Get over it!

You're this close to losing HER-2

because some executives are running scared.

Well, screw them. The calvary is here.

And you are going to have your own money.

It's a promise.

Goodbye.

Brandon, good to see you my friend.

Hi

Thank you very much.

- Wow, Brandon knows everyone.

- And if he doesn't, they know him.

But don't worry.

He'll be here before the appetizers.

- Is that an actor?

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