{"id":4843,"date":"2026-04-01T14:10:34","date_gmt":"2026-04-01T12:10:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.molport.com\/?p=4843"},"modified":"2026-03-31T17:26:40","modified_gmt":"2026-03-31T15:26:40","slug":"molport-chronicles-from-alchemy-to-pharma-no-12","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.molport.com\/news\/molport-chronicles-from-alchemy-to-pharma-no-12\/","title":{"rendered":"Molport Chronicles- from Alchemy to Pharma No.12"},"content":{"rendered":"

The best way to discover a new drug is to start with an old drug<\/span><\/h2>\n

1958\u00a0–\u00a0A massive medicinal chemistry milestone begins\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In the late 1950s, angina (chest pain caused by reduced blood flow to the heart) had limited treatment options. In 1958, Sir James W. Black joined ICI Pharmaceuticals with an idea that would reshape cardiology\u00a0–\u00a0and become one of the biggest milestones in medicinal chemistry.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

1958: The hypothesis (not luck)\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Black reasoned that angina\u00a0isn\u2019t\u00a0only about improving blood supply\u00a0–\u00a0it\u2019s\u00a0also about reducing the heart\u2019s oxygen demand.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

So\u00a0he focused on a clear biological driver: adrenaline (epinephrine) makes the\u00a0heart beat\u00a0faster and harder,\u00a0therefore blocking that signal could protect the heart<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

That meant going after the beta-adrenergic receptor\u00a0–\u00a0a target defined by pharmacology and physiology, long before we had protein structures and today\u2019s computational tools.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

1963: First proof\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

After years of iterative chemistry + pharmacology testing (not random screening), Black\u2019s team delivered pronethalol\u00a0–\u00a0the first clinically useful beta-blocker.<\/span>
\nIt proved the concept, even though it was later withdrawn due to safety concerns.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

1964: The breakthrough molecule\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Next came propranolol, a more effective and safer beta-blocker\u00a0–\u00a0the compound that\u00a0truly changed\u00a0the field.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

~1965: A medicine that reshaped cardiology\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Propranolol was launched as Inderal, and beta-blockers soon became foundational for treating\u00a0angina,\u00a0arrhythmias,\u00a0hypertension\u00a0and many other cardiovascular conditions.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

1988: Global recognition\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

James Black received the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for pioneering principles of drug treatment\u00a0–\u00a0including the work that led to beta-blockers.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Beta-blockers\u00a0weren\u2019t\u00a0found by chance.<\/span>
\nThey were built from a hypothesis, aimed at a target, and proven in patients.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Other Molport Chronicles posts- from Alchemy to Pharma:<\/strong><\/p>\n