Henri Kagan, Kenso Soai Win Nobel

Henri B. Kagan and Kenso Soai won the 2026 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for discoveries involving nonlinear effects and autocatalysis in asymmetric organic synthesis. Their work gives chemists ways to design reactions that make a desired molecular form, useful in pharmaceuticals, flavors, scents and materials. Chiral molecules come in two mirror-image forms that can act differently in living systems. Organisms generally use one form of certain chiral molecules, while ordinary lab reactions can make both, so controlling the form matters. Kagan showed how to produce an excess of one mirror form. Soai said he was excited by the news and glad to share the award with Kagan. The laureates are scheduled to receive medals in Stockholm on December 10.