Spinosad - a case study: an example from a natural products discovery programme

The discovery and characterization of the soil actinomycete, Saccharopolyspora spinosa, and the insecticidal metabolite spinosad is presented as a case history of a successful project emerging from a natural products crop protection discovery programme. A who, what and how approach is utilized to communicate the events around the discovery and development of the project. The companies and departments involved are listed with insight into their structure and philosophy. A detailed description of spinosad and its properties is also provided. Finally an overview is given of the various tasks required and hurdles that were overcome to bring the project to a commercial success. © 2000 Society of Chemical Industry