Giants in History: Akira Endo

In 1973, Japanese biochemist Akira Endo (14 November 1933 – 5 June 2024) discovered the first statin, called mevastatin, which lowered cholesterol levels in the blood by inhibiting a key enzyme in the cholesterol biosynthesis pathway. His work laid the foundation for the development of statins to help patients with high cholesterol lower their blood cholesterol levels and reduce their risk of heart disease or stroke. Endo discovered mevastatin while analysing metabolites produced by a Penicillum citrinum mould isolated from a rice sample collected from a grain shop in Kyoto. The discovery supported his hypothesis that fungi produce chemicals that inhibit cholesterol synthesis and ward off parasites. Although statins have revolutionised the prevention of heart disease and stroke and saved millions of lives, Endo did not derive any financial benefit from his discovery.