When was vancomycin discovered?

When was vancomycin discovered?

Vancomycin was first discovered in 1953.

Who discovered it and where?

It was isolated from the bacterium Amycolatopsis orientalis (formerly classified as Streptomyces orientalis) by researchers working at Eli Lilly, led by scientists including Otto Henkel and colleagues.

When did it become a drug people could use?

After its discovery in 1953, vancomycin moved into development and was later approved for clinical use, though the exact approval date depends on the country and indication.

What early purpose did it serve?

Vancomycin was developed to treat serious Gram-positive bacterial infections, and it later became especially important for infections resistant to other antibiotics (such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, or MRSA).