Henri Kagan and Kenso Soai win Nobel Prize in Chemistry

The 2026 Nobel Prize in Chemistry has been awarded to French chemist Henri Kagan and Japanese chemist Kenso Soai, according to reports from France 24, Israel Hayom, Le Monde, and Forbes. The two scientists were recognized for discoveries involving asymmetric organic synthesis and the creation of single molecular mirror images. As Ars Technica Science and Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology News reported, their research addresses the chemical mechanisms behind molecular chirality. [1][4][5][7][10][11]

Chirality refers to the structural property of molecules that exist as non-superimposable left-handed and right-handed mirror images. Standard chemical reactions typically create a balanced 50-50 mix of both forms, as noted by Ars Technica Science. Biological organisms, however, rely almost exclusively on a single handed form. Key cellular enzymes often fail to function when interacting with molecules of the opposite handedness, creating a fundamental challenge for synthesizing functional biological compounds. [1]

The Nobel Prize in Chemistry is administered by the Nobel Foundation and awarded annually by the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences. The selection process is handled by a five-member Nobel Committee for Chemistry elected by the academy. The award is officially presented in Stockholm at an annual ceremony held on December 10. [12]