Bioactive Agents from Natural Sources: Trends in Discovery and Application - Advances in Biochemical Engineering Biotechnology - page 105

Table 1. History of commercialization of modern drugs derived from nature

Year of introduction Drug Commercialized as Indication Company

(m=microbial metabolite,)
p=plant metabolite

1826 manufacturing natural compound (p) analgesic E.Merck

of morphine

1899 acetylsalicylic acid synthetic analog (p) analgesic,antiphlogistic,etc. Bayer

(Aspirin)

1941 penicillin natural compound (m) antibacterial Merck

1964 first cephalosporin semi-synthetic derivative antibacterial Eli Lilly

antibiotic (cephalothin) based on 7-ACA (m)

1983 cyclosporin A natural compound (m) immunosuppressant Sandoz

1987 artemisinin natural compound (p) antimalaria Baiyunshan

1987 lovastatin natural compound (m) antihyperlipidemic Merck

1988 simvastatin semi-synthetic derivative (m) antihyperlipidemic Merck

1989 pravastatin semi-synthetic derivative (m) antihyperlipidemic Sankyo/ BMS

1990 acarbose natural compound (m) antidiabetic (type II) Bayer

1993 paclitaxel (Taxol natural compound (p) anticancer BMS

as a semi-synthetic derivative

1993 FK 506 (tacrolimus) natural compound (m) immunosuppressant Fujisawa

1994 fluvastatin synthetic analog (m) antihyperlipidemic Sandoz

1995 docetaxel (Taxotère) semi-synthetic derivative (p) anticancer Rhône-PR

1996 topotecan,irinotecan semi-synthetic derivatives a (p) anticancer SKB,Pharmacia

& Upjohn

1996 miglitol synthetic analog (m,p) antidiabetic (type II) Bayer

a Irinotecan was launched first in Japan in 1994 by Yakult Honsha and Daiichi Pharmaceutical. BMS=Bristol-Myers Squibb, Rhône-PR=Rhône-
Poulenc Rorer,SKB=SmithKline Beecham.