Gertrude Elion

23 January 1918 – 21 February 1999

Gertrude B. Elion was an American biochemist and pharmacologist who developed numerous influential drugs using rational drug design based on the differences between normal and pathogenic cells. Her work led to treatments for leukemia, gout, malaria, and organ-transplant rejection, as well as the first antiviral drug acyclovir. She shared the 1988 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine.

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Life events

Born in New York City
23 January 1918

Born in Manhattan to immigrant Jewish parents.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Birth ✓
Graduated from Hunter College
1937

Earned a degree in chemistry with highest honors.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Earned a master's degree from New York University
1941

Completed a master's in chemistry while working as a teacher.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Joined Burroughs Wellcome
1944

Began a long partnership with George Hitchings developing new drugs.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Developed 6-mercaptopurine for leukemia
1950

Created an early anti-leukemia drug through rational drug design.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Achievement ✓
Developed acyclovir, the first antiviral drug
1977

Her team created acyclovir to treat herpes virus infections.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine
1988

Shared the prize with George Hitchings and James Black for drug development.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Died in Chapel Hill, North Carolina
21 February 1999

Died at the age of 81.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Death ✓