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T H E JOURNAL OF I N D U S T R I A L A N D ENGINEERING CHEMISTRY
drug can be determined in a manner acceptable alike t o scientific men and physicians. T o my mind such an institute should not only foster t h e production and testing of remedial agents, b u t every phase of synthetic organic chemistry should be considered within its domain This is necessary because remedial agents may be found among any group of organic chemical products. Remedial substances do not fall entirely within t h e field of t h e coal-tar series, as many chemists seem t o think. I will briefly and roughly outline what I think should be t h e scope of t h e proposed institute. I n t h e first place, i t must be endowed. The initial endowment should be a t least $I,OOO,OOO, b u t preferably not less t h a n $ ~ , O O O , O O O . T h e institute should b e entirely independent of any existing institution, b u t it should establish very close working relations a n d cooperation, especially with t h e following institutions: t h e AMERIC A N CHEMICAL SOCIETY, t h e American Medical Association, t h e American Pharmaceutical Association, t h e Hygienic Laboratory of t h e Marine Hospital Service, t h e BuTeau of Chemistry of t h e Department of Agriculture, t h e Chemical Warfare Service of t h e War Department (in case this is continued in peace times), all university departments of chemistry, research chemical institutions and industrial concerns. There should be many departments, all headed by men of t h e highest rank who have the full confidence of t h e scientific a n d medical men of t h e country. The institute should not only encourage organic chemistry within its own walls, b u t in all universities and industrial concerns. To this end i t should maintain t h e largest possible collection of organic chemicals, which would be furnished t o a n y university or industrial concern a t cost in smaller quantities. It should also be willing t o synthesize for chemists any substarices which t h e y require for their work, these substances t o be furnished a t cost. This idea is prompted by t h e tremendous advantage German chemists have had in securing from industrial concerns any substances which they require in their work in almost any quantities, whereas this has been denied t h e best American investigators. Another important function of the institute should be t h e obtaining and administering of patents b y organic chemists. Any scientific man should be able t o t u r n over t o t h e institute any patent relating t o synthetic organic chemistry on t h e basis t h a t he receive as a maximum fifty per cent of t h e profits, or any less amount t h a t he may elect, t h e remainder of t h e profits being his contribution t o t h e research fund or’ t h e general fund of t h e institute. This would ultimately result in an institute of great financial strength, which is a matter of great importance. The institute might handle its patents b y licensing a limited number of concerns t o use them, or in special cases it might itself manufacture, in case existing manufacturers hesitated t o make use of a given patent. One of t h e departments of this institute should be devoted t o pharmacology and toxicology, and it would be necessary in order t o make t h e final therapeutic tests acceptable t o t h e medical profession t o control
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a hospital devoted t o experimental therapy, t o which only selected types of cases would be admitted. This feature alone would indicate t h e necessity of t h e institutes becoming financially strong in order t o bear t h e expense of such a hospital. I n conclusion, I may say t h a t I a m willing and glad t o do anything in my power t o further such a project as this, because I have t h e feeling t h a t i t is a matter of t h e utmost importance, not only for t h e security of our national life b u t for t h e benefit of t h e world a t large. AMERICAN UNIVERSITY EXPERIMENT STATION WASHINGTON, D. C.
AN INSTITUTE OF THERAPO-CHEMICAL RESEARCH By FRANKR. ELDRED
I n an editorial in t h e September issue of t h e Journal of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry, under t h e title “War Chemistry in the Alleviation of Suffering,” Dr. Chas. H. Herty points out t h e need for a research institute €or t h e pharmacological and clinical testing of medicinal substances. I n discussing such an institute from t h e standpoint of t h e manufacturer of medicinal products, I shall not a t t e m p t t o dwell at length upon its relations with t h e manufacturer, since successful cooperation m7ould depend entirely upon t h e organization and policy of t h e institute and t h e character of t h e work done. If an institute of this kind is t o attain a high degree of usefulness, its organization and management, both administrative and scientific, must receive t h e most careful consideration. Its field of work should be distinct from t h a t of other similar institutions already established. I t is of prime importance t h a t t h e proposed institute be essentially a chemical institute. It should be organized and conducted under t h e sponsorship of t h e AMERICANCHEMICALSOCIETY and should in some manner be closely affiliated with t h a t organization. Upon t h e above propositions will rest t h e success of t h e undertaking. During t h e past four years we have made wonderful strides in all branches of chemical industry and with t h e coming of peace, steps must be taken t o make these achieveqents permanent assets t o our country and t o assure continued progress I n t h e branch of chemical industry devoted t o t h e alleviation of human suffering t h e proposed institute would t h u s have a twofold function: t o aid in making us as far as possible independent of all other countries in t h e production of necessary and valuable medicinal products, and t o encourage, as well as take an active part in, researches directed towards t h e discovery of more effective agents for t h e prevention and cure of disease. Of these two functions t h e latter is undoubtedly t h e more important. With proper governmental protection t h e manufacturer can be trusted t o make this country independent in t h e production of medicinal chemicals which have an established use, b u t it is in t h e development of new medicinal agents t h a t t h e great difficulties and great opportunities lie. It should be made clear t h a t t h e need is not for
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more drugs but for better-and fewer-drugs. I t The problem is one for t h e physical chemist, and until would be of slight value t o establish an institution t h e methods of phys;cal chemistry are applied t o t h e merely for t h e purpose of testing, pharmacologically study of drugs and t h e actual mechanism ,of their and clinically, new or old drugs which might be sub- action is investigated, we cannot hope for real progress mitted t o it, b u t i t would be difficult t o estimate t h e in this most important field. Pharmacology, t h e immense value of a great research center for t h e study study of the action of drugs, then becomes a study and improvement of our present chemical agencies involving t h e application of recognized physical for combating disease. I n t h e ultimate analysis all and chemical laws t o t h e investigation of t h e reactions agencies for this purpose are chemical agencies, just occurring between t h e living organism and t h e chemical as t h e life processes are chemical processes, and i t is agents employed. It is along such lines t h a t a n infor this reason t h a t t h e institute should be so organized stitute of pharmacology or therapo-chemistry should and supervised t h a t all of t h e problems which come be developed rather t h a n along the more superficial t o i t will be attacked from t h e chemical standpoint. lines usually thought of in connection with pharmaIt is a rather disquieting thought t h a t we know cological work. It is evident t h a t animal experimentation of t h e almost nothing about t h e mechanism of t h e action conventional t y p e is necessary in order t o establish of medicines and t h a t our present medicines have been the action and value of drugs and t h a t connections developed by empirical methods. The effects of many drugs now widely used were discovered accident- with hospitals of t h e highest class must be maintained ally, while certain synthetic drugs were apparently SO t h a t clinical trials can be carried out under t h e most developed for t h e purpose of utilizing a cheap by- favorable conditions, b u t this p a r t of t h e work, while product or a readily available intermediate, and still indispensable, should be subordinated t o t h e fundaothers were discovered b y trying, more or less in- mental researches already mentioned. If an institute were organized in which fellowships discriminately, one substance after another until one was found which h a d t h e desired action. Only a few could be established b y manufacturers or others for t h e of t h e many German synthetic drugs have proved t o study of specific problems, t h e usefulness of t h e instibe of real value, while t h e larger number have been t u t e would largely depend upon t h e support which the foisted upon t h e public b y clever propaganda. I t institution received in this way as shown b y t h e number is not desirable t h a t an institution should be estab- of fellowships maintained. It is safe t o say t h a t a n lished t o foster this kind of research. Probably no institute of t h e character which has been outlined, one b u t a drug manufacturer knows how many remedies under t h e management of men having t h e proper are proposed b y chemists a n d others not chiefly occu- conception of t h e work and t h e necessary training pied in t h e development or production of medicinal a n d experience for directing it in an efficient manner, substances and therefore without any broad knowledge would receive t h e support of t h e manufacturers. I t of t h e needs of medicine. N o excuse can be found would of course be necessary t o guarantee t o those for many such proposals; some are based upon un- establishing fellowships, advance reports of t h e work sound reasoning and others are entirely lacking in a n d proper patent protection. This would give originality, frequently t o t h e extent of having been t h e manufacturer without research facilities a n opporpreviously tried and discredited. It would only in- t u n i t y to secure t h e advantages of research of t h e highcrease t h e number of drugs a n d a t t h e same time est t y p e and at t h e same time t o contribute something lower their average efficacy if drugs inferior t o those t o t h e sum of knowledge i n t h e field from which all already available were placed upon t h e market. A or part, of his livelihood is derived. The manufacturer research institute such as we are considering must not with research facilities would often welcome a n opportherefore lend its influence t o t h e multiplication of tunity t o suppIement t h e work carried on in his own drugs of doubtful value nor waste time in t h e investi- laboratories b y establishing fellowships in a wellgation of many of t h e remedies which might be pro- equipped a n d competently supervised institute. If this branch of t h e chemical industry is built up posed. Although little is known in regard t o t h e manner in in this country along t h e lines indicated, i t will add which medicines produce their physiological effects, t o our national prosperity a n d at t h e same time conanimal experimentation a n d clinical tests have yielded tribute t o t h e welfare of mankind. T o bring about a great mass of facts i n regard t o t h e effects which are this result t h e manufacturer must receive t h e support produced b y various drugs a n d this forms t h e founda- and protection which will enable him t o make his tion of our present efforts in t h e development of remedial business profitable. I t must be remembered t h a t substances. Such facts are of course very important with t h e exception of a very few drugs which have come and must not be disregarded. As a result of such into general use b y t h e laity, t h e volume of sales of studies it has been possible t o correlate molecular a n y one medicinal substance is very small when comstructure with physiological action i n such a way t h a t pared with t h e relatively enormous sales of many it has become a most valuable guide t o t h e chemist technical chemicals and other manufactured comrnodiworking in this field, but when substances of such ties. The responsibilities and almost endless detail diverse constitution as cocaine, quinine, novocain, entailed in this branch of manufacturing are also benzyl alcohol, and magnesium salts all act as local out of all proportion t o t h e returns. The commercial anesthetics, it becomes apparent t h a t we must look possibilities are therefore not sufficient t o justify more deeply for t h e cause of their physiological action. expensive research a n d t h e installation of costly manu-
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facturjng equipment unless t h e manufacturer can se- suits will be obtained. The field is certainly broad cure, f o r a limited time, a monopoly in t h e sale of t h e enough t o give ample opportunities t o satisfy both products which he originates. Indeed i t often happens t h e pure scientist and t h e investor. This turning t o t h e coal-tar and other synthetic t h a t on account of t h e limited demand for many well-known medicinal chemicals their manufacture drugs by present chemical manufacturers, especially cannot be made profitable if engaged in by more t h a n of dyestuffs, is certain t o come. Peace time uses one manufacturer. The drug manufacturer must for t h e vast resources of this country developed for therefore receive t h e full measure of protection accorded war purposes are sure t o be sought. This field, howt o other manufacturers. He must not be discrimi- ever, can be pressed forward t o t h e attention of manunated against in t h e matter of p a t e n t protection as facturers, and it should be. I express, I believe, t h e thought of our Chairman, has been advocated in certain quarters. N o other factor could be more potent in preventing progress when I say i t is right and proper t h a t t h e forces which in this branch of industry t h a n t h e elimination of wrought for destruction i n war time, should, in peace product claims from chemical patents. Since t h e time, t u r n t o t h e conservation of t h e health and progress of t h e industry depends upon t h e success of happiness of t h e hunian race. The great obstacle t o t h e development of t h e synt h e manufacturers engaged in i t , one of t h e most important duties of t h e institute would be t o assist thetic drug industry from t h e manufacturer’s point t h e manufacturer of medicinal products in every way of view is, in my opinion, t h e inability t o properly t r y out t h e results obtained in t h e laboratory. In consistent with t h e objects t o be accomplished. An institute organized for t h e purpose of promoting research on dyestuffs, a new product or a n old one the welfare of t h e industry and a t t h e same time t h e can be definitely tested in t h e manner of its intended health and welfare of t h e people, and conducted along use, b u t lacking any constructive theory, t h e applicat h e most strictly scientific lines could not fail t o have tion of the results of t h e research chemist i n drugs a far-reaching influence. It would be a unique in- can be determined only in an unsatisfactory way at stitution of which t h e founder, t h e AMERICAN CHEMICAL present. I a m , therefore, of t h e opinion t h a t t h e establishSOCIETY, and t h e Xation could be justly proud. Dr. Herty deserves great credit for discerning t h e ment of such an institute as we are discussing, if propneed for such a n institution and for laboring so un- erly carried o u t , would be t h e greatest stimulus t o t h e rapid creation and development of a real American selfishly t o make i t a reality. synthetic drug industry. ELKLILLYAND COMPANY INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA I believe t h a t this institute should have two functions: First, research in t h e pure science, t o determine t h e INSTITUTE FOR RESEARCH ON SYNTHETIC DRUGS general effects on t h e human system of each class of B y D. W. JAYNB chemical compounds, and t h e probable relative effiM y contribution t o this subject is a n endeavor t o ciency of these compounds by classes against certain give t h e viewpoint of t h e manufacturer of synthetic ailments; second, t h e determination of t h e efficiency drugs, or t h e manufacturer who could, under certain for t h e purpose proposed of any drug submitted t o it conditions, properly become a producer of these drugs. by a manufacturer, with a simultaneous determination There is no doubt t h a t t h e field of synthetic drugs, of any side- or after-effects of t h e use of such drugs. especially of a coal-tar origin, has been largely overUnder t h e first head would come, for example, t h e looked by American chemical manuf acturers. Many determination as t o whether t h e introduction of t h e concerns have entered t h e manufacture of dyestuffs, acetic acid radical tends t o increase t h e febrkidal and t h a t industry has, no doubt, come t o s t a y , b u t efficiency of given compounds, and how t h a t increase many of t h e dyes t h a t are still lacking are those of i n efficiency compares with t h e introduction of, say, comparatively small tonnage. It is t h e tonnage of a formic acid radical. a n article t h a t usually first a t t r a c t s t h e American Under t h e second heading would come t h e submanufacturer, and synthetic drugs cannot be con- mission of a drug, claimed, for example, t o be more sidered from a tonnage standpoint. With t h e ‘coming efficient t h a n salvar5an. This would require considerof competition on t h e items of larger tonnage t h e able work, not only t o determine its efficiency as a products used in smaller quantities are turned t o , specific, b u t t o establish t h e quantities t o be used and have frequently been found t o be more remuner- over a given period t o secure results without conseative t h a n t h e larger volume items. quent side effects. This would imply t h a t t h e deThe coal-tar drugs which are made here to-day, are, termination of t h e proper dose should be a part o€ like t h e dyes, merely copies of those formerly imported such investigations. from Germany. With t h e coming of competition Both of these functions would require t h e highest on t h e old lines in t h e dyestuffs, t h e manufacturers integrity and ability in t h e institute as a n organizaare putting more and more effort on research work tion, and in its personnel individually. I t s work t o discover new dyes, and i t is a safe prediction t h a t in pure research should be recognized as t h e hest t h e I-esults of our American chemists’ work in re- authority. The results of such research would then search on dyes, will lead t o new things in t h a t field. make more evident t o t h e chemists in t h e industry It is also safe t o believe t h a t if American chemists t h e direction in which t o make their effort, either i n begin in earnest on research in drugs, surprising re- finding a drug for a specific purpose, or finding a pur-
