The creation of new pharmaceuticals is a labor-intensive and lengthy process. Researchers worldwide take various approaches to this goal. Some synthesize them chemically, while others extract them from living organisms, often using truly unusual sources whose potential in medicine is little known to the general public. Such work is also underway in Russia — here are the most notable developments in recent years. Antibiotics from Antarctica One of the most critical areas today is the search for new antibiotics. The discovery of these drugs by Alexander Fleming marked the beginning of the so-called "antibiotic era." These medicines, capable of fighting bacterial infections, began to be widely used, which, on the one hand, helped save millions of lives, but on the other hand, led to the emergence of a vast number of bacterial strains resistant to these drugs. Their emergence is associated with the ability of microorganisms to mutate in ways that allow them to survive under the influence of such medicines. In recent years, the number of such microorganisms has been rapidly increasing, with "superbugs" emerging that are resistant to all existing antibiotics. This is why the need for new antibiotics is growing. Microorganisms living in extreme conditions, such as in volcano craters, deserts, or permafrost, often become sources of new antibiotics. Currently, the safety of these compounds has already been tested on animals, and the next stage — testing their effectiveness in clinical trials involving patients — is upcoming. Powerful Painkillers from Commander Squids The basis of this drug is synaptamide, a derivative of fatty acids extracted from processed Commander squids and salmon. Synaptamide's properties include combating brain tissue inflammation characteristic of neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease, and traumatic brain injuries. Trials of synaptamide on laboratory animals have been successful — it has been shown that the compound helps alleviate neuropathic pain, significantly improving the quality of life and slowing cognitive decline. Cardiovascular Medicine from Sea Urchin Pigment Another development by Far Eastern scientists is a cardiovascular drug based on pigment extracted from sea urchins. Anticancer Drug from Sea Cucumbers One variety of sea cucumbers, also known as holothurians, has become a source of triterpene glycosides. These compounds, even in low doses, can activate the immune system. They accelerate wound healing, prevent infections, increase survival after radioactive exposure, and inhibit tumor growth. The substance extracted from holothurians, cucumarioside, has already shown its effectiveness in animals, including in the fight against aggressive forms of breast cancer. Russian scientists are conducting this research in collaboration with researchers from Taiwan's National Jiaotong University, hoping that the result may be the development of a new anticancer drug.