Henri B. Kagan and Kenso Soai were awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for their groundbreaking work on non-linear effects and autocatalysis in asymmetric organic synthesis. The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences in Stockholm announced the winners, with Kagan, 95, from France and affiliated with Université Paris-Saclay, and Soai, born in Japan in 1950, conducting research at the Tokyo University of Science. Their discoveries have revolutionized chemical reactions, particularly in the pharmaceutical industry, solving a century-old mystery about the spontaneous emergence of homochirality.

The Nobel Committee for Chemistry praised Kagan and Soai’s contributions, emphasizing the significance of their research in designing reactions for pharmaceutical manufacturing. The laureates will share a prize of 12 million Swedish crowns ($1.7 million Cdn).

The phenomenon of homochirality, where certain molecules exist in mirror-image forms, has long puzzled scientists. Kagan and Soai’s innovative methods have enabled the manipulation of chemical reactions to selectively produce desired mirror-image molecules, crucial for pharmaceutical development.

Expressing his excitement, Soai described the Nobel Prize announcement as one of the most thrilling moments of his life. He shared that he was shopping near his home when he received the news from the Nobel committee.

The Nobel Prize in Literature will be revealed on Thursday, followed by the peace prize on Friday and the economics prize on October 12. The Nobel laureates will receive their awards on December 10, the anniversary of Alfred Nobel’s death, in accordance with his will stipulating that the prizes should recognize those who have made significant contributions to humanity.