他汀是一类降胆固醇药物，它的出现给预防与治疗心血管疾病带来了一场革命。首个他汀药物——美伐他汀来源于微生物代谢物，它的发现与胆固醇生物合成研究密切相关；另一个他汀药物——阿托伐他汀是药品市场上最著名的"重磅炸弹药物"之一。他汀类药物的传奇不仅是科学上的巨大成功，也是商业上的经典案例。回顾他汀类药物的研发历程，希望能够给予从事相关研究的科学工作者以启迪。

Statins, a class of cholesterol-lowering drugs, have created a revolution in the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease. Mevastatin as the first statin originated from microbial metabolites. Its discovery is connected with the research of the biosynthesis of cholesterol. Atorvastatin, another statin, is one of the most famous blockbuster drugs in the pharmaceuticals market. The legend of statins is not only a success story in science, but also a classical case for business. In this paper, we review the research and development of statins and hope to give some enlightenment to scientists engaged in relevant research.

河北省教育厅软科学研究及科普专项基金资助项目（18K54803D）；河北医科大学教育科学研究课题（2018YB-21）；河北医科大学大学生创新性实验计划项目（USIP2018174，USIP2018217）；2016年河北医科大学校内科研发展基金资助项目（kyfz111）