An Irish-American scientist known for his work in discovering a novel therapy against infections that can cause blindness, and who was the joint winner of the 2015 Nobel Prize in Medicine, is set to be honoured at a special function in the north-west.
Derry born Professor William C. Campbell, who grew up in Ramelton, Co. Donegal, will be afforded a civic reception on Monday, September 26th, 2016 at 6.00 pm, in the Council Chamber, County House, Lifford, in recognition of his achievement.
He was instrumental in the link up between the Merck Institute for Therapeutic Research and the World Health Organisation to created an "unprecedented" drug donation programme, with the intention of wiping out a disease that causes blindness.
Up to 25 million people have been treated annually for the disease in over 30 countries.
He helped to discover a class of drugs called avermectins, whose derivatives have been shown to have "extraordinary efficacy" in treating river blindness and Lymphatic filariasis, among other parasitic diseases affecting animals and humans.
He is best known for this work on parasitic diseases.
He is currently a research fellow emeritus at Drew University in the United States.
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