Nariman Mehta
Encyclopedia
Nariman B. Mehta was born in Bombay, India on April 8, 1920. He began his schooling at the St. Xavier's College,
where he received a B.S.
in Chemistry/Physics and a B.A.
in English/Economics.
Being an exceptional student, Nari was hired to private tutor over 80 students in math, physics, chemistry, and marine engineering. In 1939, he and a fellow student wrote and published “Textbook of Theoretical and Practical Physics”.
In 1947, Nari was invited by Joseph E Seagram & Sons
to be a trainee in their research lab and study fermentation and distillation. This was all possible by winning the Tata Scholarship, a grant from Herman Wilkie for exceptional students.
From 1949–1952, while on a US Navy Fellowship, Mehta earned his Ph.D. and minor in chemical engineering, at Kansas University under Dr. William E. McEwen, working on the synthesis of emetine
.
For the next three years, Nari was a Professor of Physical Chemistry at Wilberforce University
in Ohio
.
In 1957, Nari joined the pharmaceutical company, Burroughs Wellcome, Inc., now GlaxoSmithKline
, where he worked on potential neuropsychopharmacological drugs
. He designed, synthesized and patented a single compound [BW 323U66] Bupropion
, an entirely novel class of chemical structure for an antidepressant
. In the spring of 1986, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved it. It was the first drug
approved by the FDA for “Cessation of Smoking” Zyban. Bupropion
has four physiological activates: 1) antidepressants, 2) stop smoking, 3) increase in libido (women), 4) mild weight loss. Today, GlaxoSmithKline
has sold over £900 million under the name Wellbutrin.
Nariman now resides with his three children and four grandchildren in Burlington, North Carolina
.
where he received a B.S.
Bachelor of Science
A Bachelor of Science is an undergraduate academic degree awarded for completed courses that generally last three to five years .-Australia:In Australia, the BSc is a 3 year degree, offered from 1st year on...
in Chemistry/Physics and a B.A.
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
in English/Economics.
Being an exceptional student, Nari was hired to private tutor over 80 students in math, physics, chemistry, and marine engineering. In 1939, he and a fellow student wrote and published “Textbook of Theoretical and Practical Physics”.
In 1947, Nari was invited by Joseph E Seagram & Sons
Seagram
The Seagram Company Ltd. was a large corporation headquartered in Montreal, Quebec, Canada that was the largest distiller of alcoholic beverages in the world. Toward the end of its independent existence it also controlled various entertainment and other business ventures...
to be a trainee in their research lab and study fermentation and distillation. This was all possible by winning the Tata Scholarship, a grant from Herman Wilkie for exceptional students.
From 1949–1952, while on a US Navy Fellowship, Mehta earned his Ph.D. and minor in chemical engineering, at Kansas University under Dr. William E. McEwen, working on the synthesis of emetine
Emetine
Emetine is a drug used as both an anti-protozoal and to induce vomiting. It is produced from the ipecac root.-Early emetine-based preparations:Early use of emetine was in the form of oral administration of the extract of ipecac root, or ipecacuanha...
.
For the next three years, Nari was a Professor of Physical Chemistry at Wilberforce University
Wilberforce University
Wilberforce University is a private, coed, liberal arts historically black university located in Wilberforce, Ohio. Affiliated with the African Methodist Episcopal Church, it was the first college to be owned and operated by African Americans...
in Ohio
Ohio
Ohio is a Midwestern state in the United States. The 34th largest state by area in the U.S.,it is the 7th‑most populous with over 11.5 million residents, containing several major American cities and seven metropolitan areas with populations of 500,000 or more.The state's capital is Columbus...
.
In 1957, Nari joined the pharmaceutical company, Burroughs Wellcome, Inc., now GlaxoSmithKline
GlaxoSmithKline
GlaxoSmithKline plc is a global pharmaceutical, biologics, vaccines and consumer healthcare company headquartered in London, United Kingdom...
, where he worked on potential neuropsychopharmacological drugs
Neuropsychopharmacology
Neuropsychopharmacology is an interdisciplinary science related to psychopharmacology and fundamental neuroscience...
. He designed, synthesized and patented a single compound [BW 323U66] Bupropion
Bupropion
Bupropion is an atypical antidepressant and smoking cessation aid. The drug is a non-tricyclic antidepressant and differs from most commonly prescribed antidepressants such as SSRIs, as its primary pharmacological action is thought to be norepinephrine-dopamine reuptake inhibition...
, an entirely novel class of chemical structure for an antidepressant
Antidepressant
An antidepressant is a psychiatric medication used to alleviate mood disorders, such as major depression and dysthymia and anxiety disorders such as social anxiety disorder. According to Gelder, Mayou &*Geddes people with a depressive illness will experience a therapeutic effect to their mood;...
. In the spring of 1986, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved it. It was the first drug
approved by the FDA for “Cessation of Smoking” Zyban. Bupropion
Bupropion
Bupropion is an atypical antidepressant and smoking cessation aid. The drug is a non-tricyclic antidepressant and differs from most commonly prescribed antidepressants such as SSRIs, as its primary pharmacological action is thought to be norepinephrine-dopamine reuptake inhibition...
has four physiological activates: 1) antidepressants, 2) stop smoking, 3) increase in libido (women), 4) mild weight loss. Today, GlaxoSmithKline
GlaxoSmithKline
GlaxoSmithKline plc is a global pharmaceutical, biologics, vaccines and consumer healthcare company headquartered in London, United Kingdom...
has sold over £900 million under the name Wellbutrin.
Nariman now resides with his three children and four grandchildren in Burlington, North Carolina
Burlington, North Carolina
Burlington is a city in Alamance and Guilford counties in the U.S. state of North Carolina. It is the principal city of the Burlington, North Carolina Metropolitan Statistical Area which encompasses all of Alamance County, in which most of the city is located. The population was 49,963 at the 2010...
.