Development and history of Cephalosporin

Papers relating to the discovery, development and patenting of Cephalosporine N. (a type of penicillin developed from cephalosporium funghi. Its discoverer Giuseppe Brotzu, who first distilled the fungus in 1945, forwarded the discovery to England where it was worked on by E P Abraham and colleagues. Brotzu later became President of Sardinia, 1955-1957 and 1957-1958).

The material in this file notably covers the role of Heatley and other scientists in the development of cephalosporine and the disputes between scientists which later arose over credit for its discovery and the possible division of (potentially lucrative) royalties resulting from its commercial exploitation. Also touches on the roles and significance of the various scientists involved in the initial development of penicillin in the early 1940s.

Notably contains:

Typescript report [probably by Heatley] of the research carried out by Florey, Abraham, Heatley, Page, etc., from Jan 1955 through to Feb 1961, entitled 'Biological Experiments on Cephalosporin C', with pasted in graphs, charts and diagrams.

A little correspondence between C W Hale, formerly of the Antibiotic Research Station, Clevedon, and Heatley, May 1961, relating to the Research Station's supply of scientific materials including Cephalosporin C. (The mention of Cephalosporin C is in the context of Hale's comments on a paper by Heatley that the former felt suggested some deficiency in supplies of substances from Clevedon.)

Articles on early research on penicillin and cephalosporins including 'Antiobiotic production by a species of Cephalosporium' by K Crawford and N G Heatley et al, reprinted from The Journal of General Microbiology Vol 6, No 1 & 2, Feb 1951, 'A comparison of the biological properties of cephalosporin N. and penicillin' by N G Heatley and H W Florey reprinted from the British Journal of Pharmacology and Chemotherapy Jun 1953 Vol 8 No 2, 'New penicillins' by R Knox reprinted from 'Guy's Hospital Reports' Vol 110 No 2 1961, 'A Glimpse of the Early History of Cephalosporins' by E P Abraham, reprinted from Reviews of Infectious Diseases Vol 1, No 1, Jan-Feb 1979.

Pharmaceutical company brochures 'Towards a new antibiotic', Glaxo, Dec 1964 and 'The Odyssey of the Cephalosporins' by R W Newell for Eli Lilly & Co. Ltd Feb 1970.

Papers relating to proposals for a Penicillin or Fleming Memorial Fund Appeal 1955 (involving Florey, Gardner, Abraham, Heatley, M E Florey, Jennings and Sanders) including notes of meetings, draft proposals, draft declaration of aims and a published brochure 'The Fleming Memorial Fund for Medical Research. British Appeal - part of an international appeal being conducted in 1961'.

Draft agreements re division of royalties resulting from work on antibiotics (c.1959?).

Papers relating to the 1961 legal dispute over the invention of cephalosporin which resulted from claims by Dr Harry Burton (who worked at the Sir William Dunn School of Pathology), regarding his role in the drug's development, including newspaper cuttings, correspondence, Heatley's comments on Burton's claims, a letter to Heatley by Burton 1964.

Heatley's invitation to the National Research Development Corporation 'Cephalosporin Project' dinner, in honour of E P Abraham, with guest list, Nov 1980.

Draft obituary of Sir E P Abraham with note highlighting fact that he asked Heatley if he would like share in the profits of cephalosporin (in answer to which Heatley declined).

1950s-1990s

1 file (in 3 parts)