French and Japanese scientists win Nobel Prize in chemistry

Summarised from 7 outlets · Updated 7 Oct, 11:31 · Archive

Henri B. Kagan of France and Kenso Soai of Japan won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for discovering non-linear effects in asymmetric organic synthesis.

The Nobel Prize in Chemistry was awarded on Wednesday to Henri B. Kagan and Kenso Soai for their discovery of non-linear effects and autocatalysis in asymmetric organic synthesis. The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences announced the winners in Stockholm.

Kagan is affiliated with Université Paris-Sud in Orsay, France, whilst Soai, 95, is based at Tokyo University of Science in Japan. The two scientists will each receive an equal share of the prize worth 12 million Swedish kronor, approximately £900,000 or $1.2 million.

The research addresses a long-standing chemical mystery: how homochirality can emerge spontaneously. Molecules used by all life, such as the amino acids that form the building blocks of proteins, exist in two versions that are mirror images of one another, known as chiral molecules. Life is highly selective and only works with one version, yet the reason why remained unexplained for over a century.

Heiner Linke, chair of the Nobel Committee for Chemistry, stated that 'Henri Kagan and Kenso Soai have provided a solution to a chemical mystery that is over a century old'. He described their chemical reactions as 'spectacular'. The discoveries have proven decisive for the development of pharmaceuticals, as understanding how to produce the correct mirror-image form of molecules is essential in drug production.

This year's Nobel Prize in Chemistry comes after last year's award, which recognised three scientists for developing new molecular structures capable of trapping vast quantities of gas inside, with potential applications for tackling climate change. The 2026 Nobel Prize announcements began with the Prize for Medicine on Monday, followed by Physics on Tuesday. The Literature prize is set to be awarded on Thursday.

How it is being reported

• Nobel Prize in chemistry awarded to Henri B. Kagan and Kenso Soai for developing ‘spectacular’ chemical reactionsHenri B. Kagan and Kenso Soai won the Nobel Prize in chemistry Wednesday for their efforts to resolve mysterious mirror images in chemical molecules.New York Post · 7 Oct, 11:36
• Nobel prize in chemistry awarded for work on mirror-image moleculesHenri B Kagan and Kensō Soai awarded prize for discovery of nonlinear effects and autocatalysis in asymmetric organic synthesis The Nobel prize in chemistry 2026 has been awarded to two scientists for discoveries that showed how chemical reactions can produce one of two mirror image forms of a molecule. Henri B Kagan at Paris-Sud University in France and Kensō Soai at Tokyo University of Science in Japan have been awarded the prize “for the discovery of nonlinear effects and autocatalysis in asymmetric organic synthesis”. Continue reading...The Guardian · 7 Oct, 11:14
• Chemistry Nobel awarded for solving mystery of life's asymmetryThe prize was given to the French and Japanese scientists for solving the mystery of life's asymmetry.BBC Science · 7 Oct, 11:09
• Henri B. Kagan and Kenso Soai win Nobel Prize in chemistryHenri B. Kagan and Kenso Soai won the Nobel Prize in chemistry Wednesday for their discovery of non-linear effects and autocatalysis in asymmetric organic synthesis.NPR · 7 Oct, 11:05
• 🔴Nobel Prize in chemistry awarded to France's Henri Kagan, Japan's Kenso SoaiFrance 24 · 7 Oct, 10:54
• Nobel Prize in Chemistry goes to Henri B. Kagan and Kenso SoaiHenri B. Kagan and Kenso Soai win Nobel Prize in ChemistryDW News · 7 Oct, 10:51
• Japanese scientist Kenso Soai and France’s Henri B. Kagan win Nobel Prize in chemistryJapanese scientist Kenso Soai and Henri B. Kagan won "for the discovery of non-linear effects and autocatalysis in asymmetric organic synthesis."The Japan Times · 7 Oct, 10:21

In this story: Henri B. Kagan · Kenso Soai · Université Paris-Sud · Tokyo University of Science · France · Japan · Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences · Stockholm

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