Three scientists who used modern laboratory techniques to discover anti-parasitic drugs long hidden in herbs and soil won the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine on Monday.
Three scientists who used modern laboratory techniques to discover anti-parasitic drugs long hidden in herbs and soil won the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine on Monday.
Their drug therapies “have revolutionized the treatment of some of the most devastating parasitic diseases,” the Nobel Committee of the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm said in announcing the winners. They are William C. Campbell, formerly of New Jersey, and Satoshi Omura of Japan, who share one-half of the $960,000 award with Tu Youyou of China.
Campbell and Omura developed Avermectin, the parent of Ivermectin, a medicine that has nearly eradicated river blindness and radically reduced the incidence of filariasis, which can cause the disfiguring swelling of the lymph system in the legs and lower body known as elephantiasis.
Tu was inspired by Chinese traditional medicine in discovering Artemisinin, a drug that is now part of standard anti-malarial regimens and that has reduced death rates from the disease.
“These two discoveries have provided humankind with powerful new means to combat these debilitating diseases that affect hundreds of millions of people annually,” the Nobel Committee said in a statement. “The consequences in terms of improved human health and reduced suffering are immeasurable” because parasitic diseases “represent a huge barrier to improving human health and well-being.”
Parasitic diseases are a threat to an estimated one-third of the world’s population, particularly among the poor in sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia and Latin America. Insects transmit both river blindness (black flies) and malaria (mosquitoes).
Ivermectin and Artemisinin are included in the World Health Organization’s list of essential medicines and are distributed free or at low cost. The Nobel Committee said it was not aware of any active patents on the drugs. In 1987 Merck, which had profited handsomely from use of Ivermectin in domestic and farm animals, began distributing the drug free to people because those who needed it the most could not afford it.
Campbell and Omura collaborated but worked independently on different aspects of the discovery of Avermectin.
Campbell was born in Ramelton, Ireland, in 1930 and earned a Ph.D. at the University of Wisconsin. He worked for decades at the Merck Institute for Therapeutic Research before moving to Drew University in Madison, New Jersey, as part of a program where retired industrial scientists direct research of individual undergraduates. Five years ago he moved to North Andover, Massachusetts.
Campbell learned of his award when a reporter awakened him.
“I thought he was kidding, and when I asked how I could find out, the reporter suggested the website,” Campbell said in an interview.
Omura, who was born in 1935, earned two Ph.D.s from the University of Tokyo, in pharmaceutical sciences and chemistry. He is emeritus professor at Kitasato University in Tokyo. Omura applied what the Nobel Committee said were “extraordinary skills in developing unique methods” for scientifically characterizing natural products in Streptomyces bacteria found in soil. Bacterial cousins have yielded antibiotics like streptomycin.
At a news conference Monday in Tokyo, Omura played down his accomplishments, saying, “I merely borrowed the power of microbes.”
He said he was surprised by the recognition.
“I never imagined I would win,” he said. “If I had, I’d have worn a nicer necktie.”
Omura carries a plastic bag to collect soil samples. From several thousand cultures of Streptomyces he focused on the 50 he thought showed the most promise against