1907-1992

Swiss-French-Italian Pharmacologist

Daniel Bovet received the 1957 Nobel Prize in physiology or medicine for his discoveries of important chemotherapeutic agents, including the first antihistamine and various muscle relaxants. His research on structure-activity relationships made it possible to block the effect of biologically active amines with pharmacological agents. The naturally occurring biogenic amines—epinephrine (adrenaline), histamines, and acetylcholine—exert important effects on several organ systems, including the vascular system and the skeletal muscles. In addition to his work on the effects of biologically active amines, he made significant contributions to psychopharmacology and chemotherapy.

Bovet was born in Neuchâtel, located in the French-speaking region of Switzerland. He was the son of Pierre Bovet, a psychologist and professor of pedagogy at the University of Geneva, and his wife, Amy Babut. Bovet studied biology at the University of Geneva and graduated in 1927. He remained at the university for postgraduate...