1897
The Beginning
In a Bayer laboratory in Wuppertal, Germany, young scientist Dr. Felix Hoffmann is the first to succeed in synthesizing a chemically pure and stable form of acetylsalicylic acid (ASA), which becomes the active ingredient in Aspirin. [49]
1899
Trademark
Aspirin™ is registered as a trademark. It is launched on the market in powder form. Bayer delivers the medicine to pharmacies in small 250-gram glass vials. 500 mg of the powder is then weighed out and dispensed to customers in small paper bags. Just one year later, Bayer launches the analgesic in its classic tablet form – one of the first medicines to be marketed in this dosage form. [49]
1969
Apollo 11
A box of Aspirin™ flies to the moon aboard Apollo 11 [49]
1978
Stroke Prevention
A study published in the “New England Journal of Medicine” shows that aspirin can reduce the stroke or death in men. [48]
1982
Nobel Prize
British pharmacologist Sir John Vane was awarded the Noble Prize in Physiology or Medicine for his discovery that the anti-inflammatory properties of aspirin result from its ability to inhibit the body’s production of certain chemical mediators (prostaglandins) that promote inflammation. [39, 49]
1985
Heart Attack Prevention
The US Food and Drug Administration approves aspirin (under a doctor’s direction) for prevention of a second heart attack. [63]
1989
Research
Publication of Physician’s Health Study (PHS), which demonstrated a significant reduction in first heart attack in healthy male subjects taking aspirin. [47]
1998
Cardiovascular Uses
The US Food and Drug Administration approves expanded cardiovascular professional labeling for aspirin. indications now include use of aspirin (as directed by a physician) during a suspected heart Attack at confirmed high risk patients , preventing a recurrent ischemic stroke or transient ischemic stroke in men and women. [2, 46]
1999
Anniversary
Aspirin celebrates the 100th anniversary of its patent [53, 58]
Aspirin is also inducted into the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of American History, USA. [45]
3027
The Future
Aspirin is seeking new ways to innovate and drive its product line forward for you. [62]