Campbell is best known for his work on parasitic diseases. Japanese microbiologistSatoshi Ōmura isolated and cultured many varieties of natural soil-based bacteria from the groupStreptomyces. Campbell led a team at Merck in studying Ōmura's cultures and examining their effectiveness in treating parasites in domestic and farm animals. From a sample ofStreptomyces avermitilis, naturally occurring in soil, he derived amacrocyclic lactone. After further modification, it was namedivermectin (generic) orMectizan.[12]
In 1978, having identified a successful treatment for a type of worms affecting horses, Campbell realised that similar treatments might be useful against related types of worms that affect humans. In 1981, Merck carried out successful Phase 1 treatment trials in Senegal and France on river blindness.[3][13] Taken orally, the drug paralyses and sterilises the parasitic worm that causes the illness.[14] Merck went on to study the treatment of elephantiasis. The research of Satoshi Ōmura, William Campbell, and their co-workers created a new class of drugs for the treatment of parasites.[3][13]
The greatest challenge for science is to think globally, think simply and act accordingly. It would be disastrous to neglect the diseases of the developing world. One part of the world affects another part. We have a moral obligation to look after each other, but we're also naturally obligated to look after our own needs. It has to be both.[7]
From 1990 to 2010, when he retired, Campbell was a research fellow at Drew University in Madison, N.J., where he supervised undergraduate research and taught courses inparasitology.[13] He has written about the history of parasitology in Antarctic exploration, including the work of surgeonEdward L. Atkinson inScott's ill-fatedTerra Nova Expedition.[8][20]
William C. Campbell is married to Mary Mastin Campbell.[8]He is a published poet and painter.[24]His recreational activities include table tennis and kayaking.[7]
^Annual Report on Research and Technical Work of the Department of Agriculture for Northern Ireland. Great Britain: The Department of Agriculture for Northern Ireland. 1975. p. 149.
