Professor Raymond F. Schinazi, PhD, Hon DSc, FAASLD, is internationally recognized as one of the most influential persons in the life science sector. He is the Frances Winship Walters Professor of Pediatrics and Director of the Laboratory of Biochemical Pharmacology at Emory University. Dr. Schinazi holds a PhD in Chemistry from the University of Bath, England (1976). Dr. Schinazi has authored over 600 peer-reviewed papers and 6 books. He holds over 100 issued US patents, which have resulted in 28 New Drug Applications (NDA). Dr. Schinazi is best known for his pioneering work on HIV, HBV and HCV drugs including FTC (emtricitabine), LdT (telbivudine), and sofosbuvir (Sovaldi). More than 94% of HIV-infected individuals in the US on combination therapy take at least one of the drugs he invented. He invented the first oral drug for HBV infections. He is also the inventor of the use of baricitimid a JAK inhibitor for the treatment of COVID-19 patients. He founded several successful companies including Pharmasset Inc, Idenix Inc, and Triangle Pharmaceuticals. He is the recipient of numerous awards, including: 2018 France’s highest civilian honor, the Légion D’honneur, for saving millions of lives globally; the AASLD Distinguished Achievement Award, and is a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). He has also been awarded five honorary doctoral degrees for his innovative life-saving therapeutic and curative work.