‘Heroes of Chemistry’ developed products that improve health, electronics, plastics

SAN FRANCISCO, Aug. 10, 2014 — Scientists who developed products that improve health, as well as materials for plastics and electronics, will be inducted into a scientific “Hall of Fame” today, becoming the newest Heroes of Chemistry, an honor bestowed by the American Chemical Society (ACS), the world’s largest scientific society. 

The Heroes of Chemistry program recognizes scientists whose innovative work in chemistry and chemical engineering led to commercial products that benefit the world. The teams will be recognized in a ceremony during ACS’ 248^th National Meeting & Exposition. The meeting features nearly 12,000 scientific presentations, and continues through Thursday.

The following scientific teams will be honored:

• Aegerion Pharmaceuticals/Bristol-Myers Squibb Company: For development of Juxtapid® (Lomitapide), a drug for the treatment of homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia, a rare and severe genetic disease in which patients have severely high cholesterol levels.
• Asahi Kasei Chemicals Corp.: For development of a non-phosgene polycarbonate from carbon dioxide using a “green” method. The plastic is used in DVDs, smartphones, car headlights, bottles and more.
• The Dow Chemical Company: For development of Dow AR^TM fast etch organic bottom antireflectant coatings for manufacturing electronic circuits. The coatings make it possible to print circuits on the silicon chips that power all the computers and electronics that we use today.
• Pfizer, Inc.: For development of Effexor® (Venlafaxin), a drug for the treatment of major depressive disorder, a leading cause of disability.
• The Procter & Gamble Company: For development of three “paste chemistries” used in a single toothpaste formula, called Crest ProHealth, with several clinical benefits. It prevents eight common oral and dental problems — all in one toothpaste

Each year, Heroes of Chemistry are nominated by their respective companies to recognize their talent, creativity and innovation. Previous Heroes have excelled in innovation at prominent international corporations, and have developed numerous commercial products that demonstrate strong financial performance. The commercial success of their products in the marketplace is an important criterion for this honor, because we recognize that good business results follow good science.

For more information about the program and this year’s winners, visit the Heroes of Chemistry webpage.

The American Chemical Society is a nonprofit organization chartered by the U.S. Congress. With more than 161,000 members, ACS is the world’s largest scientific society and a global leader in providing access to chemistry-related research through its multiple databases, peer-reviewed journals and scientific conferences. Its main offices are in Washington, D.C., and Columbus, Ohio.