Svetlana Mojsov: The North Macedonia-Born Scientist Behind the Diabetes and Obesity Drug Revolution
Decades-old research by the Skopje-born scientist now underpins today's most prescribed diabetes and obesity drugs, used by millions worldwide.
Skopje-born scientist Svetlana Mojsov, now a professor at Rockefeller University in New York, was honored last week at a congress of chemists and technologists in Ohrid, North Macedonia, following her inclusion on TIME magazine's list of the 100 most influential people in the world.
Her research from decades ago, focused on developing an efficient synthetic strategy for producing the hormone GLP-1 and its analogues, is now widely credited as the scientific foundation behind an entire class of diabetes and obesity drugs — including the medications popularly known as "Ozempic," used today by millions of people worldwide.
In recognition of her contribution, North Macedonia's President Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova announced that Mojsov will receive the Order of "8th September," while the Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje will grant her an honorary professorship. At the Ohrid congress, the scientist met with young researchers and colleagues from her home country.
Though she spent most of her career in the United States, where she made some of the most consequential discoveries in modern biochemistry, Mojsov has said the synthesis of the analogues had to be extremely efficient to allow large-scale production — a step that today allows the therapy to reach patients around the world.
MKNews Hub · Macedonia · September 26, 2026
