Mansukh Wani Inducted into Medicinal Chemistry Hall of Fame

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. — Mansukh Wani, Ph.D., emeritus principal scientist at RTI International, was inducted into the American Chemical Society Division of Medicinal Chemistry Hall of Fame for his outstanding contributions to medicinal chemistry.

The Medicinal Chemistry Hall of Fame recognizes individuals who have contributed to medicinal chemistry through research, technology and service to the American Chemical Society. The induction ceremony was held Sept. 10 during the society’s fall meeting in Indianapolis, Ind.

With more than 50 years of experience in medicinal chemistry, Wani is an internationally-recognized leader in natural products research. His research focuses on the isolation and characterization of biologically active natural products and synthesis of anticancer and antifertility agents.

Wani, in partnership with the late Monroe Wall, Ph.D., discovered two anti-cancer agents, Taxol® and Camptothecin, recognized as a National Historic Chemical Landmark by the American Chemical Society. The discovery led to the development of four prescription drugs that represented nearly one-third of all anti-cancer medications in 2002.

Wani has received numerous awards including the National Cancer Institute Award of Recognition, the Paul Ehrlich Magic Bullet Lifetime Achievement Award, and the American Association for Cancer Research’s Bruce F. Cain Memorial Award. In 2005, the Governor of North Carolina presented Wani with the North Carolina Award in Science, the state’s highest achievement award.

Throughout his career, Wani has more than 200 publications and 36 patents to his credit. He has also spoken at several national and international symposia on Taxol and Camptothecin.

Born in India, Wani earned a bachelor’s and master’s degree in chemistry before coming to the United States to earn a doctorate degree at Indiana University. He later conducted post-doctoral research at the University of Wisconsin before joining RTI in 1962.

Wani makes the third RTI employee inducted into the Hall of Fame.

Ivy Carroll, Ph.D., RTI Distinguished Fellow and Director of the Center for Organic and Medicinal Chemistry was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2002.

Wall was inducted after receiving the American Chemical Society’s Alfred Burger Award in 1998, the most prestigious award in medicinal chemistry.

The ACS Division of Medicinal Chemistry Hall of Fame was established by the executive committee of the Division in 2006. New members are selected annually from nominations by Division members, or have received an award presented by the Division or the ACS.