Compactin

CompactinCompactin was a breakthrough discovery made by Dr. Akira Endo of Sankyo Co., Ltd. Its discovery enabled the creation of a class of drugs (statins) for hyperlipidemia that effectively and safely lowers cholesterol through competitive inhibition of HMG-CoA reductaseHMG-CoA reductase. This chapter discusses the four major factors that contributed to this breakthrough discovery: (1) the uniqueness of the discovery program, (2) the adoption of a highly efficient research method that supported an uncertain discovery program, (3) the courage and persistence of Dr. Endo to overcome unexpected difficulties and the biases of conventional wisdom, and (4) a high degree of research freedom and a favorable research environment at Sakyo that supported his endeavor. This case has the following three implications; first, while the progress in underlying science creates opportunities for discovery projects for breakthrough drugs, such projects almost inevitably face unexpected difficulties in the early stages because of incomplete scientific knowledge. Second, the cooperation of industry and academia played key roles in solving these unexpected difficulties and concerns. Third, this case demonstrates significant knowledge spillover effects of pioneering drug discovery on subsequent drug discoveries

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