Egyptian Scientist Magid Abou-Gharbia Wins 2026 John Scott Award

Egyptian medicinal chemist Magid Abou-Gharbia has received the 2026 John Scott Award in Philadelphia for his contributions to drug discovery and pharmaceutical research.

Abou-Gharbia was recognised alongside Penn State professor Nina Jablonski and Eli Lilly executive Daniel Skovronsky. Each recipient received a USD 10,000 prize.

Abou-Gharbia is a professor at Temple University and an emeritus professor at Cairo University’s Faculty of Pharmacy. He also serves as a Visiting Professor at the Faculty of Pharmacy at The British University in Egypt.

His research career has contributed to 145 US patents and the discovery of nearly a dozen novel drugs. During his time at Wyeth Pharmaceuticals, he led drug discovery programmes that resulted in 10 marketed medicines, including the antidepressants Effexor and Pristiq, the analgesic Dezocine and the kidney cancer drug Torisel.

Abou-Gharbia later returned to academia, where he became founding director of Temple University’s Moulder Center for Drug Discovery Research. His current work includes research into potential treatments for cocaine and opioid addiction.

The John Scott Award is administered in Philadelphia through the Board of Directors of City Trusts and recognises scientific and technological contributions with practical benefits for society. Previous recipients include Marie Curie, Thomas Edison and other major figures in science and invention.