Three Jointly Awarded Nobel Prize in Medicine for Discovery of Hepatitis-C Virus
The Nobel Assembly at Karolinska Institute, Sweden, awarded the 2020 Nobel Prize in Medicine to three researchers for the discovery of Hepatitis - C Virus. Researchers Harvey J Alter, Michael Houghton and Charles M Rice will share the award for their discovery. Out of the three virologists, Harvey and Charles are based in the US whereas Michael is from the UK. Hepatitis - C is responsible for liver cirrhosis and liver cancer for humans and had remained unidentified for a long time. Calling it a 'landmark' discovery, the institute thanked the researchers for the discovery of the virus, which allows rapid development of antiviral drugs directed at it that can cure the disease. The Prize brings a cash award of $1,118,000 million which will be shared by the recipients. They are expected to be awarded in December 2020.