Original free sample of Bayer 205, suramin powder, Germany, 1926

Original free sample, in bottle, of Bayer 205, suramin powder, by Friedrich Bayer and Co., Germany, 1926

Bayer 205, now known as suramin, is effective against micro-organisms called trypanosomes, which are responsible for tropical diseases such as sleeping sickness. The drug was on the market from 1920. Developed in 1916 by a team at the German dye manufacturers Frederich Bayer and Co., Bayer 205’s chemical composition was kept a secret from other drug manufacturers. This bottle was given out free of charge for clinical tests of the first production batch.