Kashmiri-origin doctor awarded ‘Heroes of Chemistry Award’ for discovery of Bedaquiline
Srinagar: In what could be termed as a moment of great pride for Kashmir, son of the soil, Dr. Anil Koul has received this year’s American Chemical Society’s (ACS) ‘Heroes of Chemistry Award’ for discovery of Bedaquiline (BDQ).
The other members of his team who were recognized for this contribution are Dr. Koen Andries and Dr. Jerome Guillemont.
BDQ is the first treatment discovered in more than 40 years for drug resistant-TB and till date has been accessed by about 210,000 patients in 141 countries.
ACS is a one of America’s biggest non-profit organization chartered by the US congress and this award recognizes scientists whose innovative work lead to products that benefit the world.
“This award for him is actually recognition to the outstanding work of his fantastic team of scientists at J&J, along with some of amazing external collaborators/partners as well as number TB patients and doctors who made this a great success story.”
Dr Koul was born in Bana Mohalla, Srinagar, Kashmir in year 1972 and finished his school in Valley itself. His mother was a teacher by profession.
He was lately appointed director of India’s prestigious research institute, Institute of Microbial Technology (IMtech) at Chandigarh, which is part of Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Government of India.
Currently he heads global public health discovery research at J&J and is also a professor at London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.
