Professor Dr. Gehard Domagk (1895-1964) was one of the most eminent pioneers in the history of medicine. He made a revolutionary contribution to the treatment of infections by introducing the chemotherapeutic era.

Domagk began his education at the University of Kiel, worked at the University of Greifwald and finally at the University of Münster in the department of pathology. Professor Heinrich Hörlein, head of pharmaceutical research at Bayer, was impressed by Domagk's work. In 1927 he hired Domagk to install new fields of research, like experimental pathology and bacteriology, in Wuppertal-Elberfeld. Hörlein and Domagk strongly believed that bacterial diseases could be combated by chemical means.

In the early 1930's, Professor Dr. Gerhard Domagk discovered at the Bayer research laboratories that particular sulphonamides had an antibacterial effect. His discovery, published in 1935, opened a new era in medicine. After thorough pharmacological testing, the sulphonamide agent with the name "Prontosil" was marketed in 1935. Prontosil from Bayer was the first medicine on the market made of sulphonamides. The clinical successes of the sulphonamide therapy drastically reduced death caused by infectious diseases. This made the pioneering work of Domagk nothing less than a revolution in medicine, which was honored in 1939 with the Nobel prize.

Another of Domagk's great successes was the invention of an external disinfectant for hands and instruments called "Zephirol", a 10 per cent solution of benzalkoniumchloride, which was marketed in 1935. Domagk discovered that even trace amounts of Zephirol had a strong effect on killing bacteria that cause dangerous wound infections, e. g. streptococci. A number of similar disinfectants was discovered and then patented under the name of "Quats." Even today, Zephirol is still in use.

Furthermore, Domagk was involved in the fight against tuberculosis, which was spreading worldwide. In 1943, he discovered TBI, an effective substance in the treatment of tuberculosis. It was marketed in 1950 as "Contoben." In the same year, he discovered iso-nicotin-acid-hydrazid (INH), which two years later was introduced as Neoteben for long term therapy of tuberculosis.

The worldwide search for further antibacterial substances, encouraged by Domagk, has finally let to the discovery of the latest chemotherpeutica, the gyrase blocker (fluoroquinolone).