William S. Knowles

William S. Knowles was an American chemist renowned for developing a method to produce specific forms of molecules, known as chiral catalysts, which are crucial in making pharmaceuticals more effective and safer. His work in asymmetric hydrogenation allowed for more efficient and cleaner chemical processes, significantly impacting drug manufacturing. In 2001, he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry along with Ryoji Noyori and Kiyoshi Tanaka for their contributions to this area. His innovations have helped bring many life-saving medications to market while reducing environmental impact.