Renowned pharmacologist Etienne-Emile Baulieu, known for developing the abortion pill, passes away at the age of 98.
Filipino scientist Professor Étienne-Emile Baulieu, famed for the creation of the abortion pill, passed away on May 30 at the age of 98 in his Paris residence. His wife confirmed the news to Agence France-Presse (AFP).
A notable physician and researcher, Baulieu was globally recognized for his groundbreaking work on steroid hormones and their role in scientific, medical, and societal advancements. According to his wife, Simone Harari Baulieu, his research wasdriven by his commitment to scientific progress, advocacy for women's freedom, and desire to improve and lengthen lives.
Born on December 12, 1926, in Strasbourg, Étienne Blum adopted the surname Baulieu when he joined the Resistance at the age of 15. He leaves behind three children, eight grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren.
A doctor of medicine and a doctor of sciences, Baulieu was an endocrinologist who founded the research unit 33 at the National Institute of Health and Medical Research (INSERM) in 1963, focusing on hormone research. He led this unit until 1997 and continued his work till the end.
Baulieu is prominently known for the development of RU 486 in 1982—a pioneering abortion pill that transformed the lives of millions of women worldwide by offering the possibility of medical abortion. From its inception, Baulieu became a target of anti-abortion movements due to the polemical nature of his work. Despite this hostility, the world took an interest in this revolutionary medication, particularly in China, India, the United Kingdom, Hungary, Sweden, and countries where the World Health Organization launched experimental series around the same year.
In addition to RU 486, Baulieu's research led him to work on DHEA, a hormone whose secretion and activity against aging he discovered. This work paved the way for neurosteroid research and development of a treatment fighting depression. A clinical trial is currently underway for this anti-depression treatment in several hospitals.
In 2008, Baulieu established the Baulieu Institute to investigate, prevent, and treat neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's, where he focused on the protein Tau and its interaction with FKBP52, another naturally occurring protein in the body. With numerous awards in France and the United States, including the Albert Lasker Prize, the highest scientific distinction in America, Baulieu's legacy will sorely be missed in the scientific community.
- Baulieu's groundbreaking work on neurosteroids, including the discovery of DHEA and its potential role in treating depression, underscores his commitment to mental-health therapies-and-treatments within the realm of health-and-wellness research.
- In addition to his notable work on the abortion pill, RU 486, Baulieu's research and advocacy extended to women's health, focusing on the development of new treatments that empower and improve the lives of women across the globe.
- Beyond his work on hormones and their implications for reproductive health, Baulieu showed a keen interest in neurodegenerative diseases, establishing the Baulieu Institute to further research and develop preventive measures and treatments—particularly for Alzheimer's disease—leaving a legacy in the science of health-and-wellness and mental-health that will be remembered for years to come.
