Grtrude B. Elion (1918–1999) was an American biochemist and pharmacologist whose groundbreaking research led to the development of numerous life-saving drugs. Born in New York City, Elion faced discrimination as a woman in science but overcame these barriers to make significant contributions to medicine. Alongside her research partner George H. Hitchings, she pioneered the concept of rational drug design, which involves tailoring medications to specific biochemical targets. Their work led to the development of drugs for treating leukemia, malaria, gout, organ transplantation, and herpes. Notable breakthroughs include the antiviral medication acyclovir, the immunosuppressant azathioprine, and the antileukemic drug mercaptopurine. Elion’s innovative approach to drug discovery earned her numerous awards, including the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1988. Her work revolutionized the field of pharmacology and has saved countless lives worldwide, making her one of the most influential scientists of the 20th century.

Gertrude B. Elion Quotes

1. “Don’t be afraid of hard work. Nothing worthwhile comes easily. Don’t let others discourage you or tell you that you can’t do it. In my day I was told women didn’t go into chemistry. I saw no reason why we couldn’t.”
— Gertrude B. Elion

2. “I had no specific bent toward science until my grandfather died of stomach cancer. I decided that nobody should suffer that much.”
— Gertrude B. Elion

3. “The Nobel Prize is fine, but the drugs I’ve developed are rewards in themselves.”
— Gertrude B. Elion

4. “That was the turning point. It was as though the signal was there, ‘This is the disease you’re going to have to work against.’ I never really stopped to think about anything else. It was that sudden.”
— Gertrude B. Elion