Dr G Hitchings: perspectives from a history of drug discovery.

This is a lecture by Dr. George Hitchings, former Vice-President in charge of Research for Burroughs Wellcome Co. It is illustrated with projections of diagrams. Dr. Hitchings begins by reviewing the discovery of the sulfandamide group of drugs in 1939, for the treatment of syphilis, malaria and diphtheria. He recalls the informality of his working conditions, contrasting them with present day company structures. His research was spurred by his interest in nucleic acid metabolism and he had great freedom to develop his work at his own pace. The discovery of folic acid and the study of the dehydrafolic redactases led to the development of new drugs, still being created today as a result of that work. He discusses the development of acyclovir and the ongoing fight against staphyloccus aureus, salmonella typhosa, e.coli and other harmful organisms. At the end of the lecture he answers questions from the audience.