Carl Djerassi

In 1951, Djerassi and his colleagues successfully synthesized norethindrone (also known as norethisterone), the first highly active oral progestin. This synthetic hormone was critical because it could survive the human digestive system and prevent ovulation. The work was completed at the chemical company Syntex in Mexico City.

Surprisingly, no; Djerassi and Syntex did not reap the direct royalties from the first FDA-approved commercial birth control pill, Enovid, which was released by a rival company using a different progestin. However, Syntex made a fortune licensing norethindrone for other medical uses and later contraceptive formulations. Djerassi himself became a millionaire through his shares in the company.

Yes, later in life, Djerassi transitioned into writing what he termed "science-in-fiction," publishing novels like *Cantor's Dilemma* in 1989. His goal was to educate the public about the ethical, political, and social realities of the scientific community. He also wrote several successful plays dealing with the lives of famous scientists.

Before his work on oral contraceptives, Djerassi worked on antihistamines at the pharmaceutical company Ciba. Later, his team at Syntex was involved in synthesizing cortisone, which was highly expensive to produce at the time. His early chemical breakthroughs helped lower the cost of producing these crucial early medicines.