This scientific journey began with Edward C. Taylor, a chemistry professor at Princeton University. In the 1940s, Taylor became fascinated by the pigments that give butterflies their color. He learned their unique chemical structure was related to a compound found in spinach and liver, now known as folic acid. At the time, scientists knew folic acid was essential for promoting cell growth. This sparked a revolutionary idea in Taylor’s mind: if he could understand and alter the chemistry of this growth-promoting compound, could he transform it into a molecule that inhibits cell growth instead?

He later reflected on the accidental nature of his quest, stating, “I didn’t start out trying to find a cancer drug. Not at all. I was just exploring the chemistry of these beastly chemical compounds… found in the wing pigments of butterflies.”

This type of curiosity-driven research is a classic example of how public investment in science pays off. For over 40 years, Taylor’s work was supported by grants from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), specifically the National Cancer Institute (NCI). This stable, long-term funding allowed his lab to deeply explore the fundamental chemistry, laying the groundwork for a breakthrough long before a commercial application was viable.

With this deep understanding established through publicly-funded research, Taylor began a collaboration with the pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly. Together, they developed Alimta, a drug that powerfully inhibits cancer cell division. In 2004, it was approved to treat malignant pleural mesothelioma, a deadly lung cancer often caused by asbestos exposure.

Taylor’s story is a powerful reminder that world-changing innovations can spring from the most unexpected questions.