The Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 2015 was yesterday announced and it was divided, one half jointly to William C. Campbell and Satoshi Ōmura “for their discoveries concerning a novel therapy against infections caused by roundworm parasites” and the other half to Youyou Tu “for her discoveries concerning a novel therapy against Malaria”.
In response, the American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene (ASTMH) said it was is very pleased to offer its congratulations to the three outstanding scientists who received this year’s Nobel Prize for Physiology or Medicine: ASTMH member William C. Campbell, Satoshi Omura and Youyou Tu. Dr. Campbell and Dr. Omura were awarded for their discovery of a new drug to treat infections caused by roundworm parasites. The Nobel Prize was also awarded to Dr. Tu for her work using traditional herbal medicine to find a new kind of antimalarial agent.
“Sometimes the Nobel Prize is awarded for a brilliant discovery that advances basic science in a way that may someday result in a tangible benefit to mankind. This year’s Prize recognizes scientists who isolated compounds from bacteria and plants and developed them into drugs that have saved countless lives from malaria and prevented millions of cases of blindness and disfiguring swelling from parasitic worms worldwide,” said Christopher V. Plowe, MD, President of the American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene (ASTMH), and Director, Institute for Global Health, University of Maryland School of Medicine. “These three scientists have had a massive positive impact on global health. This was a great choice by the Nobel Committee.”
The discoveries of Avermectin and Artemisinin have fundamentally changed the treatment of parasitic diseases. Today the Avermectin-derivative Ivermectin is used in all parts of the world that are plagued by parasitic diseases. Ivermectin is highly effective against a range of parasites, has limited side effects and is freely available across the globe. The importance of Ivermectin for improving the health and wellbeing of millions of individuals with River Blindness and Lymphatic Filariasis, primarily in the poorest regions of the world, is immeasurable. Treatment is so successful that these diseases are on the verge of eradication, which would be a major feat in the medical history of humankind. Malaria infects close to 200 million individuals yearly. Artemisinin is used in all Malaria-ridden parts of the world. When used in combination therapy, it is estimated to reduce mortality from Malaria by more than 20% overall and by more than 30% in children. For Africa alone, this means that more than 100 000 lives are saved each year.
The discoveries of Avermectin and Artemisinin have revolutionized therapy for patients suffering from devastating parasitic diseases. Campbell, Ōmura and Tu have transformed the treatment of parasitic diseases. The global impact of their discoveries and the resulting benefit to mankind are immeasurable.
Find below information on the award recipients.
William C. Campbell
Born: 1930, Ramelton, Ireland
Affiliation at the time of the award: Drew University, Madison, NJ, USA
Prize motivation: “for their discoveries concerning a novel therapy against infections caused by roundworm parasites”
Prize share: 1/4
Satoshi Ōmura
Born: 1935, Yamanashi prefektur, Japan
Affiliation at the time of the award: Kitasato University, Tokyo, Japan
Prize motivation: “for their discoveries concerning a novel therapy against infections caused by roundworm parasites”
Prize share: 1/4
Youyou Tu
Born: 1930, Zhejiang Ningpo, China
Affiliation at the time of the award: China Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
Prize motivation: “for her discoveries concerning a novel therapy against Malaria”
Prize share: 1/2
