Leo Henryk Sternbach

Leo Sternbach, inventor of Librium and Valium

Leo H. Sternbach (19082005) was a chemist whose tranquil contributions to medicine have calmed millions quite literally. Born in Abbazia (now Opatija, Croatia), Sternbach earned his Ph.D. in organic chemistry from the University of Krakow in 1931. His early career at Roche in Switzerland took a dramatic turn in 1941 when he relocated to the company's U.S. headquarters to escape the Nazi occupation.

At Roche's New Jersey facility, Sternbach's penchant for chemical exploration led to the serendipitous discovery of benzodiazepines, a new class of tranquilizers. Librium, introduced in 1960, and its more famous sibling, Valium, launched in 1963, became household names for alleviating anxiety and sleep disorders. Valium was the world's most prescribed drug from 1969 to 1982, suggesting that the 1970s were perhaps more relaxed than we give them credit for.

Sternbach's innovations didn't stop there; his work paved the way for other benzodiazepines like Versed, Klonopin, and Dalmane. Holding 241 patents, his contributions significantly bolstered Roche's status in the pharmaceutical industry. Despite his monumental impact, Sternbach remained modest, viewing chemistry as a passion rather than a path to wealth, famously stating, 'I always did just what I wanted to do.'

He maintained an office at Roche until 2004, demonstrating that retirement is optional when you love your work. Inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame in 2005, Sternbach's legacy endures, offering a calming influence in an otherwise restless world.