Laureates of the Japan Prize
The 1989 (5th)Japan Prize
Medicinal Science
Pioneering contributions to the syntheses of prostaglandins and their related compounds which are of great therapeutic value
Dr. Elias James Corey (USA)
| Professor at Harvard University. Born in 1925. |
| Award Citation |
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Dr. Corey's study covered almost all fields of organic chemistry. He becamethe first researcher to synthesize pure prostaglandins in natural, optically activeform. This allowed the large scale production of all natural prostaglandins toprovide a stable supply for other researchers, thus contributing considerably tothe development of biochemistry and medicine. His synthesis had three major advantages over other methods in terms ofefficiency, versatility, and economy. Dr. Corey's achievement in the synthesis of eicosanoids is a monumentalwork in modern medicinal science. It is broadly expected that this synthesis willfacilitate development of medicines for such diseases as cerebral thromboisis, arteriosclerosis and gastric and intestinal ulcers. |