Professor Dr Dr Satoshi Ōmura

Research Priorities: Natural products research, drug development, antiparasitics, antibiotics, structure-effect relationships
Satoshi Ōmura is a Japanese chemist and pharmacologist who has decisively shaped the development of modern drugs. By isolating almost 500 organic substances and discovering avermectin he created the foundations for multiple medicinal innovations. Avermectin, which was later further developed into ivermectin, is now used worldwide to combat river blindness and lymphatic filariasis.
In the 1970s Ōmura and the US pharmacologist Max Tishler began to investigate the medicinal potential of soil micro-organisms. He isolated Streptomyces avermitilis, a microorganism that produces avermectin, from soil samples. Microbiologist William C. Campbell optimised the substance to become ivermectin, which has been used against parasites since 1981. Treating animals with ivermectin improves their health and also reduces the frequency of human filariasis, a disease that causes disfiguring swelling of the lymphatic system. Satoshi Ōmura and William C. Campbell received the Nobel Prize for Physiology or Medicine in 2015 for their work, which contributed to the almost complete elimination of river blindness. 
Satoshi Ōmura also researched the potential of other bioactive substances. A significant discovery was cerulenin, an inhibitor of fatty-acid biosynthesis. This discovery instigated the development of statins, which are used worldwide to lower high cholesterol. Likewise pioneering was staurosporin, a protein kinase-C-inhibitor that revolutionised cancer research and facilitated tumour therapeutics such as imatinib. Imatinib represented the first successful targeted treatment for chronic myelogenous leukemia. 
Satoshi Ōmura also identified lactacystin, a proteasome inhibitor, that led to the development of the drug Myelom. The proteasome is an enzyme that breaks down intracellular proteins and is part of cell cycle regulation. Disruptions to the cell cycle are an important factor in the development of cancer which means that the use of bortezomib makes the intracellular breakdown of harmful proteins possible again. His research on natural products also resulted in Herbimycin, a Hsp90 inhibitor, that inhibits the oncogenic activity of the heat shock protein Hsp90. Both substances reflect Satoshi Ōmura’s profound influence on oncology.
In the course of his career the chemist and pharmacologist discovered 13 new types of microorganisms, including Kitasatosporia, Longispora and Arbophoma, as well as 42 new species. Many of these organisms are sources for pharmaceutically usable substances whose therapeutic potential has not yet been completely exhausted. 
Satoshi Ōmura’s visionary research has expanded the horizons of biotechnology. His discoveries influence not only the development of modern drugs but also deliver significant impetus for future research and the creation of innovative therapies. In addition to the Nobel Prize the scientist has also been honoured with many other renowned national and international awards for his extraordinary achievements.