Jonathan R. Spicehandler, M.D., 57, retired chairman of Schering-Plough Research Institute (SPRI), died recntly following a long battle with cancer.

During his 24 years with Schering-Plough, Dr. Spicehandler was involved in the development of some of the company's most significant pharmaceutical products, including INTRON A (interferon alfa-2b recombinant), PEG-INTRON (pegylated interferon alfa-2b), CLARITIN(loratadine) and ZETIA (ezetimibe), cholesterol-lowering medicines. His contributions to the broader pharmaceutical industry and scientific communities have been widely recognized.

Dr. Spicehandler received his B.A. degree in biology from Union College, Schenectady, N.Y., in 1970. He received his M.D. degree, cum laude, in 1974 from St. Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Mo. He is survived by his wife Debra and their four children.