The drug is Taxol, Bristol's brand name for paclitaxel, a trace compound found in the bark of the Pacific yew tree in the northwestern U.S. During the 1970s researchers for the U.S. government's National Cancer Institute discovered that paclitaxel stops the growth of some cancerous tumors.

FORBES: Delaying tactics

But, on average, those who were taking cisplatin and paclitaxel survived for 9.8 months, compared to 8.5 months in those taking carboplatin.

BBC: Older lung cancer drug 'more effective'

Along the way, for tax and supply diversification reasons, Bristol developed its own operation in Ireland to manufacture paclitaxel and then fired Hauser as a supplier.

FORBES: Delaying tactics