George H. Hitchings

George H. Hitchings 1988

George H. Hitchings (April 18, 1905 – February 27, 1998) was an American pharmacologist and biomedical researcher who made significant contributions to the fields of chemistry and medicine, leading to the development of several important drugs. He was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1988, sharing it with James Black and Gertrude B. Elion for their discoveries of important principles for drug treatment. Hitchings' work is particularly noted for its impact on the development of antiviral and anticancer drugs, as well as treatments for gout and malaria.

Early Life and Education[edit | edit source]

George Herbert Hitchings was born in Hoquiam, Washington. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry from the University of Washington in 1927 and went on to earn a PhD in biochemistry from Harvard University in 1933. His doctoral research focused on the metabolism of nucleic acids, which would later play a crucial role in his pharmaceutical research.

Career[edit | edit source]

After completing his education, Hitchings worked in various research positions before joining the Burroughs Wellcome company (now part of GlaxoSmithKline) in 1942. It was here that he began his pioneering work in the field of chemotherapeutic agents. Hitchings developed a novel approach to drug design, focusing on the differences in biochemical pathways between humans and pathogens. This led to the concept of selective toxicity, a principle that underpins much of today's antibiotic and antiviral drug development.

One of his most significant collaborations was with Gertrude B. Elion. Together, they developed a number of drugs, including pyrimethamine (a malaria treatment), trimethoprim (used to treat urinary tract infections), and acyclovir (an antiviral drug for herpes simplex virus). Their work on azathioprine, an immunosuppressive drug, has been instrumental in making organ transplantation a viable treatment option.

Nobel Prize[edit | edit source]

In 1988, Hitchings was co-awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine with Gertrude B. Elion and Sir James Black for their discoveries of important principles for drug treatment, highlighting their development of drugs used to treat several major diseases.

Legacy[edit | edit source]

George H. Hitchings' legacy is marked by his innovative approach to drug discovery, which has saved countless lives and improved the quality of life for many more. His work laid the foundation for modern pharmacology and continues to influence the field to this day.