It is often claimed that BZP was originally synthesized as a potential antihelminthic (anti-parasitic) agent for use in farm animals.

It was originally synthesized by Fred Tebbe at DuPont Central Research.

This drug was originally synthesized by cancer researchers in 1964, in a project that was eventually abandoned.

Bortezomib was originally synthesized in 1995 (MG-341) at a company called Myogenics, which soon changed its name to ProScript.

This compound, now a drug candidate, was originally synthesized by Dr. Jim Palmer of Khepri Pharmaceuticals (now Celera) as part of an industry search for anti-inflammatory and anticancer drugs focusing on cysteine proteases.

The compound was originally synthesized by Dr. Trevor McMorris (UCSD) and found to have anticancer properties by Dr. Michael J Kelner (UCSD).

PCNB was originally synthesized in the laboratory in 1868.

Aside from sugar of lead, saccharin was the first artificial sweetener and was originally synthesized in 1879 by Remsen and Fahlberg.

Arbekacin was originally synthesized from dibekacin in 1973.