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2026 Nobel Prize in chemistry awarded for ‘mirror image’ molecule research, with impact on pharmacology

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Based on a feed excerpt; full article content has not been acquired. Source evidence retrieved 07/10/2026, 21:21:26 UTC.

Briefings

The 2026 Nobel Prize in chemistry was awarded to Henri B. Kagan and Kenso Soai for their discovery of how to manipulate chiral molecules, a phenomenon where mirror-image versions of a molecule exist. This breakthrough enables the manufacturing of more precise and safer drugs, as over half of clinically used drugs are chiral. The researchers solved the mystery of how nature balances these two versions, which is critical for pharmacology. The award was presented on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, at the age of 95 and 76 respectively. The evidence indicates that the Nobel committee recognized the fundamental importance of this discovery for drug development, though specific experimental details or the exact mechanism of manipulation are not detailed in the provided text.

Key points

• Henri B. Kagan and Kenso Soai were awarded the 2026 Nobel Prize in chemistry for discovering how to manipulate chiral molecules, which are mirror images of one another.
• Over half of clinically employed drugs are chiral, making the understanding of this imbalance crucial for pharmacology and drug manufacturing.

Context and limitations

The provided evidence does not specify the exact experimental methods used to manipulate the molecules, nor does it detail the specific timeline of the research leading to the Nobel Prize.

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