Mesothelioma Researcher to Be Honored for Service to Society
A researcher whose work led to the development of the only drug approved specifically for the treatment of mesothelioma is being honored by the National Academy of Sciences. The NAS has announced that it will honor Edward C. Taylor, the A. Barton Hepburn Professor of Organic Chemistry Emeritus at Princeton University with the Chemistry in Service to Society award. Taylor’s contributions to a branch of chemistry known as heterocyclic chemistry helped lead to the development of the new-generation antifolate, pemetrexed (brand name Alimta). Pemetrexed is FDA-approved for the treatment of mesothelioma and non-small cell lung cancer but is also in clinical trials for a number of other types of cancer. Pemetrexed was first approved for mesothelioma in February 2004, the first drug…