A series of five programmes 4: Take a Deep Breath ...
Drug research and development is an expensive and risky business, but the rewards for success are high. In the early 60s DR ROGER ALTOUNYAN , himself an asthmatic, was trying to discover an effective treatment for asthma; using himself as a human guinea-pig, he discovered a drug which revolutionised the treatment of asthma for many patients.
It led Fisons Ltd, a company better known for its garden and agricultural fertilisers, into new markets. Twelve years after, and 2,000 compounds later, they feel they're close to another breakthrough -but they're not there yet. Commentary MICHAEL DEAN
Producer ROBERT CLAMP
Director J. PETER KINKEAD