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Professor Kümmerer is revolutionizing sustainable pharmacy for the future!
Professor Kümmerer from Leuphana University is honored for innovative sustainable chemistry research and international projects.
Professor Kümmerer is revolutionizing sustainable pharmacy for the future!
The University of Helsinki has announced that it is appointing Professor Klaus Kümmerer as an honorary doctor. This award recognizes his groundbreaking work in sustainable chemistry and green pharmacy. Kümmerer is internationally recognized for his efforts to develop environmentally friendly medicines and integrate environmental sustainability into pharmaceutical research. He has been working intensively with the Faculty of Pharmacy at the University of Helsinki since 2016.
As part of his work, Kümmerer established the “Benign by Design” concept, which aims to develop biodegradable drugs from the ground up. These ideas are not only innovative, they also bring about far-reaching changes in the pharmaceutical industry. Kümmerer's research has contributed significantly to the creation of the new field of sustainable pharmacy and inspired numerous academic initiatives and research projects at the University of Helsinki.
Recognition and influence
Klaus Kümmerer has received numerous awards for his work. This includes an honorary doctorate from Ghent University in Belgium, which he was awarded in March 2023. He also received the Wöhler Prize for Sustainable Chemistry and the Federal Cross of Merit. His research projects, including EU-funded initiatives such as PREMIER and TransPharm, demonstrate the pioneering role he plays in the sustainable development of pharmaceuticals.
The Anthropocene, as the era of human influence on geology and ecosystems, creates additional challenges for pharmaceutical research. The World Pharmacists' Association (FIP) has emphasized the need to combine patient values with societal values, particularly with regard to the carbon footprint of medicines. The body is viewed as a dynamic ecosystem whose interactions need to be integrated into future studies.
Innovations in chemistry
Kümmerer is also committed to improving the biodegradability of medications. In 2017, a research team under his leadership presented new approaches to the further development of antibiotics in the fluoroquinolones group using sustainable chemistry methods. These methods aim to minimize problematic effects of antibiotics in wastewater and the environment.
The International Sustainable Chemistry Collaborative Center (ISC3), founded in September 2017, is concerned with the global promotion of sustainable chemistry, in which Kümmerer is also involved. As part of his work, Kümmerer has developed various study programs, including the part-time Master's in Sustainable Chemistry and a certificate program for professionals with previous chemical training. He also holds an annual international Green and Sustainable Chemistry conference to discuss current topics and solutions in sustainable chemistry.
In summary, it can be said that Professor Kümmerer's work provides significant impetus for the development of more sustainable pharmacology. His vision of an environmentally integrative approach is becoming increasingly relevant not only at the University of Helsinki but worldwide.