Zidovudine

Discovered by: Jerome Horwitz first synthesized AZT in 1964. Its anti-retroviral effects were found by a group including George Herbert Hitchings, Gertrude Elion, David Barry, Paul (Chip) McGuirt Jr., Philip Furman, Martha St. Clair, Janet Rideout, Sandra Lehrman and others.

What is it? An antiretroviral medication used to prevent and treat HIV/AIDS.

Why is it important? It was approved in the United States in 1987 and was the first treatment for HIV.