Leo Sternbach

Leo Sternbach

Leo Sternbach, the chemist who discovered benzodiazepines

Born	May 7, 1908
Birth place	Opatija, Austria-Hungary (now Croatia)
Died	September 28, 2005
Place of death	Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
Nationality	American
Known for	Discovery of benzodiazepines
Awards	National Medal of Technology

Leo Henryk Sternbach (May 7, 1908 – September 28, 2005) was a chemist and pharmacologist best known for his discovery of benzodiazepines, a class of psychoactive drugs that revolutionized the treatment of anxiety and insomnia.

Early Life and Education

Leo Sternbach was born in Opatija, then part of Austria-Hungary, now in Croatia. He was raised in a Jewish family and showed an early interest in chemistry. Sternbach attended the University of Kraków, where he earned his Ph.D. in chemistry in 1931. His doctoral research focused on the synthesis of dyes and organic compounds.

Career

After completing his education, Sternbach worked at the University of Kraków as an assistant professor. In 1940, he emigrated to the United States to escape the Nazi occupation of Poland. He joined Hoffmann-La Roche in Nutley, New Jersey, where he initially worked on the synthesis of vitamins and other organic compounds.

Discovery of Benzodiazepines

In the 1950s, Sternbach was tasked with finding new tranquilizers. In 1955, he synthesized a compound that was initially shelved due to lack of interest. However, in 1957, further testing revealed its potent tranquilizing effects. This compound, later named chlordiazepoxide (Librium), became the first benzodiazepine to be marketed. Following this, Sternbach developed diazepam (Valium), which became one of the most prescribed drugs in the world.

Benzodiazepines work by enhancing the effect of the neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) at the GABA_A receptor, resulting in sedative, hypnotic, anxiolytic, anticonvulsant, and muscle relaxant properties.

Legacy

Sternbach's discovery of benzodiazepines had a profound impact on the field of psychiatry and medicine. These drugs provided a safer alternative to barbiturates and became widely used for the treatment of anxiety, insomnia, and other conditions. Sternbach was awarded the National Medal of Technology in 1988 for his contributions to the pharmaceutical industry.

Personal Life

Sternbach was married to Herta Sternbach, and they had two children. He continued to work at Hoffmann-La Roche until his retirement in 1973. Sternbach passed away in 2005 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.

Also see

• Benzodiazepine
• Chlordiazepoxide
• Diazepam
• Hoffmann-La Roche
• Gamma-aminobutyric acid