Liu Xu (chemist)
Liu Xu | |
|---|---|
刘旭 | |
| Born | 29 September 1938 |
| Died | September 5, 2019 (aged 80) Guilin, China |
| Citizenship | Chinese |
| Alma mater | China Pharmaceutical University |
| Known for | Discovering Artesunate |
| Awards | State Award for Inventions (1989) China Patent Award (1991) State Science and Technology Progress Award (2002) |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Medicinal chemistry Antimalarial medication Clinical research |
| Institutions | Guilin Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd |
Liu Xu (Chinese: 刘旭; 29 September 1938 – 5 September 2019) was a Chinese pharmaceutical chemist known for the discovery of artesunate, a novel antimalarial drug. The discovery of artesunate solves the problem that artemisinin is nearly insoluble in water. Artesunate can be given by intravenous injection, intramuscular injection, by mouth, and by rectum.
For his work, Liu received the 1989 state award for inventions and the 2002 State Science and Technology Progress Award.