Domagk, Gerhard (1895–1964)

German pathologist who was awarded a Nobel Prize for Physiology or Medicine in 1939 for his discovery of the first antibacterial sulphonamide drug. In 1932 he found that a coal-tar dye called Prontosil red contains chemicals with powerful antibacterial properties. Sulphanilamide became the first of the sulphonamide drugs, used – before antibiotics were discovered – to treat a wide range of conditions, including pneumonia and septic wounds.

Domagk was born in Lagow, Brandenburg (now in Poland), and studied medicine at Kiel. From 1927, he directed research at the Laboratories for Experimental Pathology and Bacteriology of I G Farbenindustrie, Düsseldorf, a dyemaking company. But he also remained on the staff of Münster University, as professor from 1928.

In 1946, Domagk and his co-workers found two compounds (eventually produced under the names of Conteben and Tibione) which, although rather toxic, proved useful in treating tuberculosis caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria.