David T Wong
Wong started his undergraduate studies in chemistry at National Taiwan University. He then graduated from Seattle Pacific College in 1961. - He achieved his master’s degree in 1964 from the Oregon State University, then received his doctorate in 1966 from University of Oregon.
- Wong joined the Lilly Research Laboratories (Eli Lilly and Company) in 1968 as a senior biochemist.
- Alongside his colleagues Brain B. Molloy and Ray W. Fuller, Wong is credited with the discovery of fluoxetine, atomoxetine, duloxetine, and dapoxetine.
- Duloxetine and dapoxetine are antidepressant drugs while atomoxetine is used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
- Fluoxetine, commonly known as Prozac, is a commonly used antidepressant drug used to treat major depressive disorder (MDD).
- MDD affects as many as 12% of the world’s population and has been called the 21st century’s most debilitating disease.
Seattle Pacific University [online] at: https://spu.edu/depts/uc/response/winter98/features/prozac.html [accessed on 15/5/21]
Image: © Indiana University, School of Medicine
Author: Shayan Ghavam
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