American Cyanamid - Innovations and Product Development

Innovations and Product Development

Over the years, Cyanamid scientists developed numerous important new chemical, pharmaceutical, and medical products. Perhaps the most significant is Tetracycline, discovered by a Lederle researcher in 1945. The Davis & Geck branch developed the first synthetic absorbable suture, trademarked Dexon, during the 1970s, based on an ingenious glycolic acid polymer (thus utilizing a natural body protein, which reduced inflammation and scarring).

Also of particular note, Cyanamid research scientists employed at Lederle Laboratories developed Triamcinolone and Methotrexate.

Triamcinolone is a widely used corticosteroid, sold both generically and under many brand names, including Cyanamid's Aristocort brand. The name Triamcinolone includes a reference to the parent corporation, in the AMC letter combination. A derivative drug, Triamcinolone acetonide, is one of the ingredients of Ledermix - an endodontic (tooth's root canal) lotion used between sessions. The name Ledermix similarly bows to its origins at Lederle Laboratories.

Methotrexate is used broadly in cancer treatment and treatment of autoimmune diseases, and many other conditions. In higher dosages, it is highly toxic and its use is thus often followed by administration of calcium leucovorin, which acts as an antidote.

Cyanamid also pioneered the development of antibiotic feed additives (products containing subtherapeutic levels of various antibiotics). These are added to foods normally supplied to cattle, swine, and other animals (or added to drinking water), because they stimulate growth, feed efficiency, and overall well-being of animals which are already healthy and disease-free. This followed the discovery that certain antibiotics, remarkably, have these beneficial effects, even at very low dosages—effects apparently unrelated to their antibacterial activity at higher dosages. The bio-mechanism(s) involved have never been fully determined, but the benefits of adding very low levels of antibiotics to animal feed are dramatic and indisputable. (USDA reported that the use of antibiotic feed additives reduced meat production costs an average of 30%.) Their subsequent widespread use rather quickly prompted concern and an enduring controversy about whether these drugs initiate antibiotic resistance in the animals, and whether such resistance (if it occurs) leads to antibiotic-resistant strains which can affect humans.

Despite numerous studies around the world, very little compelling evidence of antibiotic resistance leading to more severe human infections, has ever been discovered (though overuse of antibiotics in humans, for example in treating colds—which are viral, hence unresponsive to antibiotics—has certainly led to antibiotic-resistant bacteria which attack humans.) However, a study in Canada indicated some association between use of cephalosporin use in chicken feeds (not a Cyanamid product), and cephalosporin resistance in humans.

Cyanamid developed many chemicals based on cyanamide chemistry, or more broadly nitrogen-based chemicals. Perhaps the most important was melamine, an extraordinarily strong and durable thermosetting plastic material. It is now among the most widely produced industrial chemicals in the world. Cyanamid also was a major producer of acrylonitrile, and its derivative, acrylamide. From these, the company produced a variety of flocculants, plastics, paper chemicals, and resins such as permanent-press resins for clothing.

Cyanamid not only had many "firsts", but eventually several "onlies" -- products of which it was the only producer. One was tuberculosis vaccine, another was Sabin polio vaccine. Cyanamid was the sole producer of buttons for US military clothing, astonishingly sturdy melamine buttons which were virtually bulletproof.

Cyanamid invented the first chemiluminscent product, marketed initially as "light sticks" -- plastic tubes about 3/4" in diameter and about 6" long. These were energized by bending the tube slightly, to snap a fragile glass cylinder inside, mixing the two chemicals contained, causing them to emit a soft green light. Later developments included long flexible tubes, worn as necklaces; and colors including red, yellow, and blue. Trademarked Cyalume, the products became widespread as novelties; but the light produced was insufficient for, say, reading or as safety indicators. Other applications included marker lights carried in marine life rafts and floatation jackets (ships and airplanes), to help locate victims of crashes or sinkings, at night. An unexpected use of Cyalume was in deep-sea squid fishing. Light sticks were attached to long, multi-hook fishing lines, which reportedly caused squid to swarm and take the hooks in a frenzy.