Chemical biologist Benjamin Cravatt of Scripps Research wins prestigious Royal Society of Chemistry award

LA JOLLA, CA – Benjamin Cravatt, PhD, the Gilula Chair of Chemical Biology at Scripps Research, has been named winner of the prestigious Jeremy Knowles Award from the Royal Society of Chemistry.

Cravatt is recognized for pioneering a powerful new approach for identifying protein classes based on their activity, vastly expanding the possibilities of small-molecule drug discovery. His work uncovered countless new insights into disease biology that may lead to treatments for critical conditions including cancers and neurological disorders.

“Jeremy Knowles was a legendary figure in the fields of enzymology and chemical biology, and I am honored and humbled to receive a prize in his name,” Cravatt says. “This recognition is also a tribute to the hard work and creativity of the many outstanding students and fellows who have been part of our research group.”

Cravatt, who was raised in Los Angeles, completed his undergraduate studies at Stanford University and his graduate studies at Scripps Research. In winning the award, he also receives a medal and a monetary gift.

“Over the years, our lives have been significantly improved by the chemical sciences, from medicines and food to the environment itself,” says Robert Parker, PhD, chief executive of the Royal Society of Chemistry. “We are proud of the contribution the chemical sciences make to our global community, which is why it is right for us to recognize important innovations and expertise such as these.”

Cravatt’s activity-based protein profiling technology evaluates protein function and drug interactions on a global scale, enabling the discovery of therapeutic targets and drug candidates overlooked using traditional methods. Cravatt and his colleagues have shown that they could use small sets of molecular probes, combined with sophisticated chemical proteomics methods, to identify novel drug targets for neurological disorders and cancer, including proteins that had been thought undruggable.

The Royal Society of Chemistry’s Awards and Prizes recognize originality and impact of research and contributions to the chemical sciences industry or education. They also acknowledge the importance of teamwork across the chemical sciences, as well as the abilities of individuals to develop successful collaborations.

Founded in 1841, the Royal Society of Chemistry in based in London and has an international membership of over 50,000. Its mission is to advance excellence in the chemical sciences, thereby improving the lives of people around the world now and in the future.