Nobel Chemistry 2026: Kagan and Soai solve century-old molecular handedness mystery

The 2026 Nobel Prize in Chemistry honors Henri B. Kagan and Kenso Soai for discoveries explaining the origin of homochirality in life. Their work on asymmetric catalysis and autocatalysis clarifies why biological molecules exist in one-handed forms, a fundamental question in chemistry. The award underscores a major scientific breakthrough, though its direct market impact is limited.