Chloroquine, which was widely used for malaria since it’s development in 1952 failed miserably as the parasite became resistant to the previously used malarial drug. As it took a toll on more lives, the Vietnam government formed an urgent ally with the Chinese ministry to develop a cure for outspread sickness. With this intent “Mission 523” was initiated with Tu Youyou as project head.

Her Intensive research work demanded her to fly to various disease-affected towns and villages. By that time she had been blessed with two daughters both under the age of 5 years, whom she had to leave with her parents.

In conversation with The Guardian, Tu said, “The work was the top priority so I was certainly willing to sacrifice my personal life”

Artemisinin- “ Saviour Of Lives ”

Tu Youyou with the help of her team spotted over 640 plants, tested the extracts of more than 200 plants. Over 240,000 compounds had already been tested and failure stamped before Tu’s attempt. As a result of tremendous effort, eventually, the extract [Artemisinin] from sweet wormwood plant (Qinghao), Artemisia annua, was found to have a great positive effect. 

The following tests on mice and monkeys proved one hundred per cent success rate. To mention her commitment, Tu first tested it on herself. Consequently, the drug was administered to fellow humans. “As the head of this research group, I had the responsibility,” she explained.

On having a word with the South China Morning Post  Tu quoted “Artemisinin combination treatments, or ACTs, are the first-line drugs for treating malaria recommended by the WHO, and the most important weapon in fighting against malaria worldwide,”

The team presented their findings to the World health organization in 1980. Finally, their drug went on for global usage in the early 2000s. Her invention in later years was extremely helpful when the same intense malaria outbreak happened both in Asian and African continents.

NOBEL HONOR

For her remarkable efforts, Tu Youyou was awarded “The Nobel Prize” in Physiology or Medicine for the year 2015. Sharing with two of her counterparts William C.Campbell and Satoshi Ōmura for their similar contributions.

The Lasker Foundation also honoured Tu with its Clinical Medical Research Award in 2011, quoting artemisinin as “arguably the most important pharmaceutical intervention in the last half-century.”

While Artemisinin’s groundbreaking effects are still wondered in the Pharma world, Tu went on to unveil a comparatively stronger antimalarial compound – dihydroartemisinin, which is a bioactive artemisinin metabolite. She continues her work as a professor and director of Qinghaosu Research Center at the Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences.