The discovery and development of a new molecule imply the interplay of chance, audacity, and challenge, as well as lessons from failures and difficulties in reaching scientific and medical recognition of therapeutic progress. Persistent efforts and a consistent preclinical and clinical program should sustain the 10- to 15-year endeavor needed for establishment of a major drug—in this case a drug for cerebro- and cardiovascular event prevention. Ticlopidine’s history gives an example of the international cooperation needed between chemists, biologists, pharmacologists, multidisciplinary clinicians, biostatisticians, and health authorities to make progress within the boundaries defined by science and ethics.