Background
Horwitz, Jerome Philip was born on January 16, 1919 in Detroit, Michigan, United States. Son of Louis and Belle (Broudy) Horwitz.
Horwitz, Jerome Philip was born on January 16, 1919 in Detroit, Michigan, United States. Son of Louis and Belle (Broudy) Horwitz.
Bachelor of Science cum laude, University Detroit, 1942. Master of Science, University Detroit, 1944. Doctor of Science, University Detroit, 1987.
Doctor of Philosophy, University Michigan, 1950.
Horwitz was a Jewish Detroit native and 1937 graduate of Central High School. He earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in chemistry from the University of Detroit. His doctorate in chemistry came from the University of Michigan.
In 1964, while conducting research for the Karmanos Institute, Horwitz synthesized a compound that was to become known as zidovudine (AZT) - an antiviral drug used to treat Human Immunodeficiency Virus patients.
Zidovudine was initially developed as a treatment for cancer. Horwitz was also first to synthesize stavudine (d4T) and zalcitabine (ddC) - two other reverse transcriptase inhibitors used in the treatment of Human Immunodeficiency Virus patients.
Also during 1964, he published the first production and demonstration of X-gal as a chromogenic substrate. After synthesizing AZT, Horwitz went on to create many successful treatments for cancer and other diseases.
At the time of his most recent findings, Horwitz was working for the Michigan Cancer Foundation with a federal grant from the National Institutes of Health.
He retired in 2005. Horwitz was featured in the documentary film I am alive today - History of an Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome drug. While some believe Horwitz was referenced in the Captain Underpants books, the Jerome Horwitz Elementary School in the children"s book series was in fact named after Curly Howard from the Three Stooges.
(Jerome Horwitz was Curly"s given name).
Member Academy Scholars.
Married Sharon Z. Newman, June 18, 1951. Children: Carol E. Kastan, Suzanne G. Gross.