Buserelin
Acetate

The Discovery

Chapter 1

In the 1970s, doctors faced a tough choice.

In the 1970s, doctors faced a tough choice. Men with prostate cancer needed their testosterone shut down. Women with endometriosis suffered from painful tissue growing in the wrong places, fed by estrogen. The only answers were surgery, radiation, or strong medicines with awful side effects. Scientists asked: could we use the body's own hormone system against these diseases? The answer was hidden in the pituitary gland.

The Breakthrough

Chapter 2

Researchers discovered that GnRH is the master control hormone.

Researchers discovered that GnRH is the master control hormone. It's a tiny string of amino acids that tells your pituitary gland to release two other hormones: LH and FSH. These hormones then tell your ovaries and testes to make sex hormones. Hoechst scientists realized they could make an artificial version of GnRH that would be super-potent. When you used it over and over, the body's sensors would get tired and shut down the whole system.

The Trials

Chapter 3

Hoechst called their discovery HOE-766, later named buserelin.

Hoechst called their discovery HOE-766, later named buserelin. They tested it in cancer patients first. The results were surprising and powerful. Men with prostate cancer who received buserelin had the same hormone shutdown as men who had their testicles surgically removed. Women with endometriosis finally got relief. By 1982, the drug was approved in Germany. By the late 1980s, doctors all over Europe were using it.

The Crisis

Chapter 4

Then came an unexpected discovery.

Then came an unexpected discovery. Doctors realized that buserelin could help couples trying to have babies through IVF. By shutting down natural hormone release at just the right time, they could control exactly when eggs grew and were released. This meant women could take hormone shots that made many eggs ready at once, instead of just one per month. Buserelin became a key part of IVF protocols worldwide.

The Legacy

Chapter 5

Today, buserelin remains important for cancer treatment, endometriosis, and fertility help.

Today, buserelin remains important for cancer treatment, endometriosis, and fertility help. Scientists learned from buserelin's success and created even better drugs. But buserelin showed them the way. It proved that the body's own hormone system could be turned into a powerful medicine. Now sold as Suprefact across Europe and Asia, it helps thousands of patients every year find relief from serious diseases and achieve their dream of having children.