The story of the discovery of aspirin: How did the Bayer dye factory become a pharmaceutical manufacturer?

Medical historians cite 1897 as the year of Aspirin's birth, but the enthusiastic story of the best-known drug in human history began 3,500 years ago. According to written records, In the 2nd century, infusion of dried myrtle leaves was recommended for rheumatism and back pain. A thousand years later, the father of medicine, Hippocrates, prescribed water extracted from willow bark for fever and pain. It was salicylic acid, the substance found in the water that relieved pain. In the Middle Ages, doctors forgot about this treatment of Hippocrates, but the people loved the willow. Herb women, who were interested in plants, collected the bark of willows, boiled them and gave them to those who complained of pain and fever.

CHEMIST WITH BELON HAT

The period of silence lasted until 1763. After this date, drugs containing salicylic acid, obtained from willow, were prescribed to the patients. However, the taste was bitter and the side effects were severe. It was good for pain, but its smell and side effects made it even more sick.

One who suffers from this affliction is Bayer scientist Dr. He was the father of Felix Hoffmann. His father, Hoffmann, who was taking drugs with salicylic acid, was bedridden because of rheumatoid arthritis (an inflammatory disease affecting the inner surfaces of the joints). Dr. Hoffmann made the greatest discovery in the history of medicine to relieve his father's suffering; converted salicylic acid to acetylsalicylic acid (ASA). Two years later, Bayer began producing Aspirin, which would become the universal elixir of the 20th century. Aspirin was so cheap and easily available that the poor could buy it. It protected people from flu epidemics. When you think of painkillers, aspirin comes to mind.

The wonder drug remained a mystery until 1971. Everyone knew about aspirin, but no one understood it; The effect on the body was never known. How aspirin affects pain John R. Vane found it. This earned Vane the Nobel Prize and the title of Sir.

Medical science consisted of administering treatment to support the natural healing process and relieve the patient's pain. It was necessary to inhibit the production of prostaglandins to reduce fever, heal inflammation, and reduce or eliminate pain.

That's exactly what aspirin does. This finding sparked research on Aspirin. Today, 500 Aspirin studies are published annually. Studies reveal another effect of the drug, which is known to be good for pain and colds.

ASPIRIN'S ROADMAP IS DRAWN

British scientist Dr. Derek Gilroy also revealed another mechanism of action of Aspirin 24 years later. British scientist, who received the 'International Aspirin Award' organized by Bayer, Dr. Gilroy took it by explaining how the drug's active ingredient, acetylacylic acid (ASA), inhibits inflammation (fever, pain, swelling and redness). Gilroy found that aspirin inhibits inflammation by stimulating the production of nitric oxide (NO). Thus, it is expected that the findings of Gilroy, which explains the biological effect of 108-year-old ASA, which has not been well known until now, will accelerate the discovery of other indications of ASA.

A Journey into Bayer History

According to 2021 data, Bayer is represented by 374 consolidated companies in 83 countries around the world. As of 2021, it has close to 100 thousand employees and a sales turnover of 44.1 billion Euros. R&D expenditures are approximately 5.4 billion Euros.

It all started with the friendship between two people, an endless curiosity towards nature and two kitchen ovens. Businessman Friedrich Bayer and dyer Johann Friedrich Weskott experimented with these furnaces and eventually discovered how to make dye fuchsia. On August 1, 1863, in Wuppertal-Barmen, he signed one of the huge potential initiatives of the 19th century, "Friedr. Bayer et. comp." they founded the company.

1863-1881: The Early Years

On August 1, 1863, paint dealer Friedrich Bayer and master painter Johann Friedrich Weskott formed a partnership "Friedr. Bayer et comp.," and the company grew rapidly.

1881-1914: Becoming an International Company

Between 1881 and 1914 Bayer became a chemical firm with international operations. While dyestuffs remain the largest division of the company, new business areas have begun to be added. The establishment of a large research facility by Carl Duisberg was a primary step in the company's continued development.

1914-1925: World War I and Its Consequences

Bayer's dizzying growth was stalled by World War I. The company faced significant disruption in major export markets, and sales of dyes and pharmaceuticals similarly declined. Bayer continued to be increasingly integrated into the war economy. Bayer opened its third German production facility in Dormagen in 1917.

1925-1945: I.G. Farbenindustrie AG

Since 1905, a union of interests has come to the fore between Bayer, BASF and Agfa. In order to regain access to major export markets, these companies and others in the German tar paints industry came together to form a larger community in 1915/16 on Carl Duisberg's initiative.

1945-1951: Dissolution of I.G. and Re-establishment of Bayer

In November 1945, the Allied Forces seized the I.G. and the entire facility was placed under the control of Allied officers. The dissolution of the company and the submission of its assets to war reparations came to the fore. However, things did not develop that way.

1951-1974: Restructuring and the "Economic Miracle"

Bayer's restructuring is closely related to the Wirtschaftswunder or "economic miracle" in the Federal Republic of Germany. II. As a result of World War II, Bayer lost foreign assets, including valuable patents, for the second time. Bayer stepped in to restart its sales activities in 1946, still under Allied control.

1974-1988: Oil Crisis and Merger

The 1973/74 oil crisis brought the "economic miracle" to a complete end for everyone. When Herbert Grünewald succeeded Kurt Hansen as Chairman of the Board in 1974, the world economy was in a serious recession. Prices for petroleum-based chemical raw materials quadrupled in just a few months.

1988-2001: Transformation and Globalization

Aspirin's 100th anniversary was celebrated. Also, Bayer, like other companies, has been tested by the challenges posed by the globalization and structural change of the 1990s. After the radical political changes in Germany and Eastern Europe after 1989, the company increased its focus on promising markets.

2001-2010: Group Restructuring

The group celebrated the first century of Bayer culture and the 100th anniversary of Bayer Cross. Three new subgroups – Bayer HealthCare, Bayer CropScience and Bayer MaterialScience – were established during this period. Separated Bayer Lanxess AG and incorporated Schering AG.

2010–2020: Investing in the Future

In 2013, Bayer celebrated its 150th anniversary worldwide. The company sent an airship to various parts of the world and organized anniversary exhibitions with the participation of German Chancellor Angela Merkel and celebrities. In 2015, the MaterialScience subgroup became an independent company with the new name of Covestro. Bayer successfully completed the acquisition of Monsanto on June 7, 2018, after obtaining all necessary regulatory approvals. In December 2019, Bayer announced that it would significantly increase its sustainability efforts and set significant goals for itself. In 2020, Bayer acquired Asklepios BioPharmaceutical (AskBio) and created a new platform for cell and gene therapy.