This year’s Nobel prize in Medicine will be shared. The joint winners are Ireland’s William C. Campbell and Japan’s Satoshi Ōmura “for their discoveries concerning a novel therapy against infections caused by roundworm parasites” and China’s Youyou Tu “for her discoveries concerning a novel therapy against Malaria.” Campbell and Ōmura discovered a new drug, avermectin, which has proved successful in fighting river blindness and lymphatic filariasis, and against other parasitic diseases. Lymphatic Filariasis is better know as Elephantiasis.
Youyou Tu discovered artemisinin, which has significantly reduced deaths from malaria. “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 Assembly said in a statement in awarding the prize of 8 million Swedish crowns ($960,000). “The consequences in terms of improved human health and reduced suffering are immeasurable. “
