The discovery of artemisinin and the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine

The 2015 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine was awarded to Professor Tu YouYou for her key contributions to the discovery of artemisinin. Artemisinin has saved millions of lives and represents one of the significant contributions of China to global health. Many scientists were involved in the previously unknown 523 Project, and the Nobel Prize given to a single person has not been without controversy. Here we summarize some key events in the 523 Project and present our views on