Akira Endo, Pioneer of Cholesterol-Lowering Statins, Passes Away at 90

Endo's groundbreaking discovery of statins has saved millions of lives worldwide by reducing heart disease and stroke risks.

Akira Endo discovered the first cholesterol-lowering statin, mevastatin, in 1973 after testing thousands of fungi.
Statins are now among the most commonly prescribed drugs globally, benefiting over 200 million people.
Endo's work was inspired by the discovery of penicillin and aimed to find new medicines from fungi.
Despite the monumental impact of his discovery, Endo never received a Nobel Prize but was honored with other prestigious awards.
Endo's research faced significant challenges, including initial skepticism and competition from other pharmaceutical companies.