Chemotherapeutic research in the laboratories of Imperial Chemical (Pharmaceuticals) Limited at manchester.

Abstract

In order to give a complete picture of the research work being carried out in the laboratories of Imperial Chemical (Pharmaceuticals) Ltd, it is desirable to say something of the origin and development of the organization. For this purpose it is necessary to refer to the beginnings of modern chemotherapy, which derived from the pioneer work in Germany of Ehrlich, the centenary of whose birth is celebrated this year. Much of Ehrlich’s work was rendered possible by the existence in Germany of a vigorous dyestuffs industry, which made available not only dyestuffs, but also a whole range of synthetic organic compounds. Moreover, with the development of dyestuffs came a natural urge for the further exploitation of the many types of organic compounds associated with their manufacture, and of the industrial chemical techniques which were being evolved. The early development of chemotherapy was therefore intimately associated with industrial organic chemistry. The development of an organic chemical industry in Britain occurred, unhappily, much later than in Germany. Indeed, it was the first world war which first emphasized the country’s deficiency in this respect, and the industry only began to develop its present scope and vigour in the years following the war. In this development, Imperial Chemical Industries Ltd may claim to have played a vital role, and it was perhaps inevitable that a growing desire to develop its potential caused the Company to follow the earlier German pattern in turning its attention to the possibilities of chemotherapy. Mention must particularly be made of the influence of Dr C. J. T. Cronshaw, who played such a prominent part in raising the status and competence of the British dyestuffs industry between the two wars. These achievements rendered possible the entry of the Company into the pharmaceutical industry. Other names associated with the early decisions are those of the late Messrs J. Baddiley and M. Barrowcliff, former Research Directors of the Dyestuffs Division of I.C.I. Ltd, and of Dr H. Hepworth, who until his recent retirement was Managing Director of Imperial Chemical (Pharmaceuticals) Ltd.