What is Akira Endo?
{{Infobox scientist | name = Akira Endo<br />遠藤章 | image = Jp endo.jpg | image_size = | alt = | caption = Dr. Endo | birth_date = {{Birth date|df=y|1933|11|14}} | birth_place = [[Higashiyuri, Akita|Higashiyuri]] (present-day [[Yurihonjō, Akita]]) | death_date = {{death date and age|df=y|2024|6|5|1933|11|14}} | death_place = [[Tokyo]], Japan | residence = | citizenship = | nationality = | fields = [[Biochemistry]] | workplaces = [[Sankyo Co.]], [[Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology]] | alma_mater = [[Tohoku University]], | doctoral_advisor = | academic_advisors = | doctoral_students = | notable_students = | known_for = discovering the first [[statin]] (HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor), paving the way for statin drug development | author_abbrev_bot = | author_abbrev_zoo = | influences = | influenced = | awards = [[Heinrich Wieland Prize]] {{small|(1987)}}<br />[[Japan Prize]] {{small|(2006)}}<br />[[Massry Prize]] {{small|(2006)}}<br />[[Lasker-DeBakey Clinical Medical Research Award|Lasker Award]] {{small|(2008)}}<br />[[National Inventors Hall of Fame]] {{small|2012)}}<br />[[Canada Gairdner International Award]] {{small|(2017)}} | signature = <!--(filename only)--> | signature_alt = | footnotes = | spouse = }} {{Nihongo|'''Akira Endo'''|遠藤 章|Endō Akira|14 November 1933 &ndash; 5 June 2024}} was a [[Japan]]ese [[biochemistry|biochemist]]. He was known for his research into the relationship between [[fungus|fungi]] and [[cholesterol]] biosynthesis led to the development of [[statin]] drugs. He received the [[Japan Prize]] in 2006,<ref name=JapanPrize>The Science and Technology Foundation of Japan. [http://www.japanprize.jp/prize/2006/e2_endo.htm Japan Prize official release] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070110180830/http://www.japanprize.jp/prize/2006/e2_endo.htm |date=2007-01-10