Development of fluoxetine
Desarrollo de la fluoxetina
- Date
- 1970-1974 · confidence high
- Place
- Indianapolis, United States
- Credited to
- David T. Wong and team (Eli Lilly laboratories)
- Field
- Life & health
What was discovered
David T. Wong's team at Eli Lilly identifies a compound that selectively blocks serotonin reuptake without affecting other neurotransmitters, laying the groundwork for the first SSRI antidepressant.
The project began in 1970 from compounds synthesised by Bryan Molloy and Klaus Schmiegel; it was named 'fluoxetine' in 1975 and received FDA approval in 1987.
What it led to
- Commercialisation as Prozac (1987)
- Generation of SSRI antidepressants with fewer side effects
- Shift in the pharmacological treatment of depression and anxiety