Akira Endo: Father of Statins

There was an unprecedented increase in cardiovascular mortality during the 20th century, which ultimately led to a deeper understanding of cholesterol and its role in cardiovascular disease. Akira Endo is a medical innovator who sought to change the tide of this epidemic. He is often referred to as the "Father of Statins" because of his identification of the first 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) inhibitor, which fostered a new era in cholesterol treatment. The offspring of this discovery - statin medications - changed the landscape of cardiovascular prevention and improved outcomes for millions of patients across the globe. Arika Endo used his prior research experience in biochemistry and fungi to create a new way to meet the objective of reducing cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. In this way, he should be recognized not only for this discovery of statins but as a role model for researchers at any stage of their careers.