Satoshi Ōmura

Satoshi Ōmura (大村 智, Ōmura Satoshi, born July 12, 1935) is a Japanese biochemist specializing in pharmacology. He is known for the discovery and development of various pharmaceuticals originally occurring in microorganisms. In 2015, he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine jointly with William C. Campbell and Youyou Tu for their discoveries concerning a novel therapy against infections caused by roundworm parasites. More precisely, Campbell and Ōmura were awarded for their discoveries concerning a novel therapy against infections caused by roundworm parasites.

Early life and education

Ōmura was born in Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan, in 1935. He graduated from the University of Yamanashi, he went on to obtain a Master's degree in Science from Tokyo University of Science and a PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences from the University of Tokyo and a PhD in Chemistry at the Tokyo University of Science.

Career and research

Ōmura has been a professor at Kitasato University since 1975 and is emeritus professor at Wesleyan University in the United States. He is known for the discovery and development of various pharmaceuticals originally occurring in microorganisms. His most notable discovery is Ivermectin, a drug that has radically lowered the incidence of River blindness and Lymphatic filariasis. He has also established a culture method for Streptomyces, which produce Streptomycin, the first antibiotic remedy for tuberculosis.

Awards and honors

In 2015, he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine jointly with William C. Campbell and Youyou Tu for their discoveries concerning a novel therapy against infections caused by roundworm parasites. He is also a recipient of the Japan Academy Prize and the Prince Mahidol Award.

Personal life

Ōmura is a keen amateur entomologist, specialized in scarab beetles.

See also

• List of Japanese Nobel laureates
• List of Nobel laureates affiliated with the University of Tokyo