Some decision in the development of cimetidine

Abstract

AbstractThe histamine H2 blocker, cimetidine (TagametTM), was one of the first drugs discovered bya mechanism‐based approach under the direction of Sir James black at Smith, Kline & french in the United Kingdom. Cimetidine also holds the distinction of being the first drug ever to achieve more than $1 billion a year in sales. In this case study, the crucial scientific milestones in the discovery and development of cimetidine are recounted from the perspective of the Director of Research and placed within the context of the organizational dynamics ongong in the mid‐1960s as Smith, Kline & french sought to retain its independence as a pharmaceutical company. The impact of the tremendous success of cimetidine as an anti‐ulcer medication on the SK&F organization and the issue of managing success within a multinational drug research are presented to provide younger scientists with a feel for the tactical issues involved and the outcomes. © 1993 wiley‐Liss, Inc.