Henri B Kagan and Kenso Soai receive Nobel Prize for breakthrough in chemical asymmetry of life
French scientist Henri B Kagan and Japanese scientist Kenso Soai have been awarded the 2026 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for their discovery explaining the molecular asymmetry of life. Their work clarifies how nature selectively produces one mirror image of molecules like amino acids, a breakthrough with significant implications for pharmaceutical development.
Brève Publié le (Africa/Lagos, UTC+1)
French scientist Henri B Kagan and Japan’s Kenso Soai have been awarded the 2026 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for providing a solution to the chemical mystery of life’s asymmetry.
The scientists discovered how nature exclusively produces the correct version of molecules, such as amino acids, rather than their mirror images. This asymmetry is fundamental because, like hands, amino acids exist as two mirrored variants but only one is present in the body’s cells.
Their findings have enabled chemists to control chemical reactions to produce specific molecular forms, a significant advancement for pharmaceutical development.
The award was announced following the Nobel Prize in Physics and ahead of the Peace Prize, which is expected on Friday.