The Magic Potions in the Belly Gland: The Story of Research Into the Exocrine Pancreas and the Active Substance Pancreatin: A Century of Pankreon

by Heide Kuhlmann

The year 2000 is considered an exceptional date in many respects, for example, as the real beginning of 'modernity'. For the Solvay pharmaceutical companies and many of our friends and customers it is a year of celebration and a moment of reflection. We celebrate '100 years of expertise in the manufacturing and development of pancreatic enzyme substitution' and we take some time to reflect about the achievements of the past and the challenges for the next 100 years. To appreciate this event, the present book has been written. It covers, in its first part, about 2500 years of medical history and pioneer research into the exocrine pancreas. The second part is dedicated to the history of pancreatin, with first therapeutic attempts more than 100 years ago, until today and the history of Solvay's brands Pankreon and Creon, respectively. Although a lot is already known about the pancreas and its diseases, there are still many items to be discovered and elucidated. In addition, although the majority of patients with pancreatic exocrine insufficiency is adequately controlled, modern replacement therapy has still to be improved, for example, with the availability of biotechnologically engineered enzymes. In the retrospect, two developments have substantially contributed to the achievement of modern treatment options with pancreatic enzymes. 1) The refined techniques of pharmacology and surgery for a better understanding of the role of the pancreas, the so-called 'forgotten organ', after a long period of rigid hypotheses and dogmas of early thought-leaders; and 2) the formation of the 'pharmaceutical industry' in the middle of the 19th century combining the scientific and entrepreneurial efforts and passions to produce remedies for patients with pancreatic disease. We hope the book deserves its place in the libraries of those with an interest in pancreatology and can be a source to stimulate pioneering spirit and passion for further progress." (from the Introduction)

182 pages, Hardcover

Published January 1, 2000