NPR

How Moldy Hay And Sick Cows Led To A Lifesaving Drug

The blood thinner warfarin, which prevents blood clots, owes its existence to some cows who got very sick after eating the wrong hay. That and a chemist who spent years trying to figure out why.
Source: Avi Ofer

There is a lifesaving drug that owes its existence to moldy hay, sick cows and rat poison.

The drug is called warfarin sodium. It prevents blood clots, and it can be a life-saver for patients who've had a heart attack or stroke. It's one of the most widely prescribed drugs in the world.

There's rarely a straight line from idea to

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