Updated Feb 20, 2026
Details
Birthday
(Wednesday)
Died
Birthplace
New York, United States
Nationality
Languages
English
Education
Hunter College, Jamaica High School, New York University, New York University Tandon School of Engineering
Zodiac Sign
♒ Aquarius
Chinese Zodiac
马 Horse
Name Origin
English < Proto-Germanic (*gaizaz)
Popularity
Tier C -- 4,576 Wikipedia views/month
DROPTHE_ GOSSIP
Gertrude B. Elion: American biochemist and pharmacologist (1918–1999).
Born in New York (died at age 81).
10 awards including Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.
Studied at Hunter College.
AWARDS (10)
B
Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences
WON
B
Foreign Member of the Royal Society
WON
B
Garvan–Olin Medal
WON
B
Lemelson–MIT Prize
WON
Biography
Gertrude "Trudy" Belle Elion was an American biochemist and pharmacologist, who shared the 1988 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine with George H. Hitchings and Sir James Black for their use of innovative methods of rational drug design for the development of new drugs. This new method focused on understanding the target of the drug rather than simply using trial-and-error. Her work led to the creation of the anti-retroviral drug AZT, which was the first drug widely used against AIDS. Her well known works also include the development of the first immunosuppressive drug, azathioprine, used to fight rejection in organ transplants, and the first successful antiviral drug, acyclovir (ACV), used in the treatment of herpes infection.
Frequently Asked Questions
How old was Gertrude B. Elion?
Gertrude B. Elion was born on and passed away on at the age of 81.
Where was Gertrude B. Elion born?
Gertrude B. Elion was born in New York.
Where can I find more information about Gertrude B. Elion?
You can find more about Gertrude B. Elion on Wikidata. Their full profile and filmography is available on this page.
