The group of honorary doctorates of the Medical University of Warsaw has been enlarged by another outstanding person. Prof. Zdzisław Machoń is a graduate of pharmacy of the University of Wrocław and chemistry of the Wrocław University of Science and Technology. Prof. Machon's scientific output includes over 90 experimental scientific papers, 5 monographic papers, 51 patents and patent applications and over 30 scientific communications. The professor's greatest achievement can be considered obtaining p-chlorophenylamide of 5-benzoylamino-3-methyl-4-isothiazolecarboxylic acid (ITCL) and introducing it into medicine as an original Polish antiviral drug called Vratizolin. Studies of isothiazolopyrimidine derivatives have resulted in a compound with very potent anticancer activity (IP -10). The compound has undergone preclinical testing, and its high activity has been confirmed by the Center for Cancer Research in Bethesda USA, which has qualified it for clinical trials.
The ceremony was opened by the Rector of the Medical University of Piastów Śląskich in Wroclaw - Professor Piotr Ponikowski. After the welcome, he gave the floor to Dr. Joanna Kolmas, Dean of the Faculty of Pharmacy, MUW, who led the ceremony. In thanking Rector Ponikowski, the Dean said: - I am glad that we could organize the awarding of the honorary doctorate degree in the place which is so dear to Professor Machon. Next, she invited Professor Zbigniew Gaciong, Rector of MUW, to deliver a speech.
- Today I am doubly honored to participate in today's ceremony of conferring the honoris causa doctorate degree of the Medical University of Warsaw to Professor Zdzisław Machoń. Firstly, we meet to honor a man, a researcher and a scientist whose contribution to Polish pharmacy cannot be overestimated. Secondly, although during his entire academic career Professor was associated with his alma mater - the Medical University of Wroclaw, he left a permanent mark on our Alma Mater – Medical University of Warsaw. His cooperation with the pharmaceutical faculty of our university, especially with the Department of Chemical Technology of Medicinal Products, consisted not only in the organization of numerous joint seminars, but also in the research of drug manufacturing technology and clinical trials at our university. This cooperation has lasted for three fruitful decades - said Professor Zbigniew Gaciong, Rector of MUW.
The official conferment of the title of the highest academic dignity was preceded by a laudation delivered by Prof. Jadwiga Turło, Head of the Department of Pharmaceutical Technology and Biotechnology of the Medical University of Warsaw, promoter of the award. - Professor Machon's activities for the benefit of the Medical University of Warsaw go far beyond the framework of ordinary academic cooperation - said Professor Turło, reading out the laudation.
Prof. Machoń initiated joint scientific seminars of the Department of Organic Chemistry of the Wroclaw Medical University under his direction and of the Department of Chemical Technology of Medicinal Products MUW. He also led the collaboration of the two departments under the Central Research and Development Program (CPBR) and collaborated in research on the development of denotivir manufacturing technology at the Faculty of Pharmacy MUW. Clinical trials of denotivir were also conducted in collaboration with the MUW. The Professor initiated the development of a new scientific discipline in Poland, which was medicinal chemistry and the establishment of the Medicinal Chemistry Section of the Polish Pharmaceutical Society. He conducted scientific seminars in this field for interested MUW employees. The Professor contributed significantly to the development of the scientific staff of the Department of Chemical Technology of Medicinal Products MUW. The Professor not only reviewed several postdoctoral theses of the department members, but most importantly developed and supported the practical application of his organic technologies to produce intermediates for the synthesis of new compounds at MUW. These compounds were used in research conducted by MUW employees to synthesize active substances of potential drugs. Professor Machon’s special contribution to the Faculty of Pharmacy MUW is the initiative to establish the Professor Stanisław Biniecki Medal and Award for young scientists for special achievements in the field of pharmacy and medicinal chemistry.
– Due to Professor Zdzisław Machoń's outstanding scientific achievements in the fields of pharmacy, medicinal chemistry and development of drug research, culminating in the discovery of a new drug, and due to his special contribution to the Faculty of Pharmacy of the Medical University of Warsaw, it gives me great pleasure to submit to the Senate of the Medical University of Warsaw a motion to award Professor Zdzisław Machoń the degree of doctor honoris causa of the Medical University of Warsaw - Professor Turło concluded her laudatory speech.
Then the Dean of the Faculty of Pharmacy read out the Latin text of the honorary doctorate and together with the Rector Professor Zbigniew Gaciong officially presented it to Professor Machon. After the presentation, the rostrum was filled with congratulations and recognitions, including those from the Rector of the Wroclaw Medical University, Marcin Mączyński, MD, PhD, Dean of the Faculty of Pharmacy of the Wroclaw Medical University, and Bożena Karolewicz, MD, PhD, President of the Polish Pharmaceutical Society. Joanna Kolmas, MD, PhD, also read a letter of congratulations from Prof. Bożenna Gutkowska, Professor Emeritus of our University, for many years associated with the Faculty of Pharmacy MUW.
After receiving the honorary title, the new doctor honoris causa delivered an emotional speech in which he told about his beginnings in the search for medicinal substances. He outlined the history of his collaboration with physician Henryk Mierzecki in the isolation of naphthalenesulfonic acids from refinery waste and the search for antibacterial active agents in them.
Apart from Rector Prof. Zbigniew Gaciong, Joanna Kolmas, MD, PhD, Dean of the Faculty of Pharmacy, and Prof. Jadwiga Turło, PhD supervisor, the ceremony was attended by Prof. Grzegorz Nałęcz-Jawecki, Chairman of the Pharmaceutical Sciences Discipline Council, Head of the Department of Environmental Studies MUW, and the PhD reviewer - Prof. Andrzej Kutner from the Department of Bioanalysis and Drug Analysis MUW.
The event's musical setting was provided by the Medici Cantantes Choir of the Wroclaw Medical University, conducted by Magdalena Lipska.
The title of doctor honoris causa of MUW was conferred on Prof. Machon by the Senate of our University on October 26, 2020, but due to the coronavirus pandemic the ceremonial conferring of the title was not possible.
