Edmund Kornfeld

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Edmund Kornfeld

Edmund Kornfeld (1922-2011) was an American chemist and pharmaceutical researcher, best known for his work in the development of the antibiotic amoxicillin.

Early Life and Education

Kornfeld was born in New York City in 1922. He attended City College of New York where he earned his Bachelor's degree in Chemistry. He then went on to earn his Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry from Harvard University in 1948.

Career

After completing his education, Kornfeld joined Beecham Research Laboratories in 1952. He was part of a team of scientists who were tasked with the development of new antibiotics. Kornfeld's work primarily focused on the modification of existing antibiotics to improve their effectiveness and reduce their side effects.

In 1972, Kornfeld and his team successfully developed amoxicillin, a broad-spectrum antibiotic that is still widely used today. Amoxicillin was a significant advancement in the field of pharmacology as it was more effective and had fewer side effects than the antibiotics that were available at the time.

Kornfeld's contributions to the field of pharmacology extended beyond the development of amoxicillin. He also played a significant role in the development of clavulanic acid, a drug that is often combined with amoxicillin to increase its effectiveness.

Legacy

Kornfeld's work has had a significant impact on the field of pharmacology. His contributions to the development of antibiotics have saved countless lives and continue to be a cornerstone of modern medicine.

In recognition of his contributions, Kornfeld was awarded the Perkin Medal in 1987, one of the highest honors in the field of chemistry. He was also inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame in 1999.

See Also

• Amoxicillin
• Clavulanic acid
• Perkin Medal
• National Inventors Hall of Fame