Philip Stewart Low, a distinguished American chemist, pioneering drug discovery scholar, and beloved professor at Purdue University, passed away on March 4, 2026, at his home in West Lafayette, Indiana, at the age of 78. His remarkable career was dedicated to translating groundbreaking laboratory research into life-saving therapies, leaving an indelible mark on the fields of medicine and biotechnology. Low's innovative spirit and unwavering commitment to alleviating human suffering led to the development of numerous drugs that have profoundly impacted patients worldwide. Purdue University President Mung Chiang lauded Low as "one of the most amazing Boilermakers ever," while former Indiana Governor and Senator Mitch Daniels remarked on the "enormous loss not just to the university but to medical science and patients everywhere," highlighting Low's unparalleled talents and personal character.

Born in Ames, Iowa, on August 8, 1947, Philip Low embarked on his academic journey with a strong foundation in science. He was the son of Philip F. Low, a distinguished professor of agronomy at Purdue University and a pioneering agronomist, establishing a deep family connection to the institution. Philip graduated from West Lafayette Junior/Senior High School, where he played basketball, before earning his Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry from Brigham Young University in 1971, where he also showcased his athletic talents on the basketball court. He continued his advanced studies at the University of California, San Diego, completing his Ph.D. in Biochemistry in 1975.

In 1976, Low joined the faculty of Purdue University, beginning a nearly five-decade tenure that would define his professional legacy. He rose to become the Ralph C. Corley Distinguished Professor of Chemistry and the Presidential Scholar for Drug Discovery, contributing significantly to the Purdue Institute for Drug Discovery and the Purdue Institute for Cancer Research. His early research focused on diverse areas including tissue regeneration, infectious diseases, and autoimmune conditions.

Low's entrepreneurial vision was as impactful as his scientific acumen. In the late 1990s, he cofounded Endocyte, a biotechnology company based on his research, alongside Christopher Leamon. This venture proved to be a monumental success, culminating in its acquisition by Novartis in 2018 in a $2.1 billion deal. This acquisition was pivotal in the development and market introduction of Pluvicto, a significant cancer therapy for which Low is credited as one of the developers, alongside Timothy Ratliff and Tom Gardner, that has since benefited countless patients. His drive to bring scientific discoveries to clinical reality extended beyond Endocyte, as he founded a total of seven companies based on intellectual property developed at Purdue: Endocyte Inc., OnTarget Laboratories Inc., Novosteo Inc., Erythrocure Inc., Umoja Biopharma Inc., Morphimmune Inc., and Eradivir Inc. Novosteo was acquired by Cortexyme in 2022.

His work also led to the development of other vital cancer-fighting drugs such as Cytalux and Locametz, further solidifying his reputation as a prolific innovator in biopharmaceutical development. Throughout his illustrious career, Low was a prolific inventor, holding over 100 U.S.-issued patents and being listed on 600 U.S. and international patents, alongside 145 invention disclosures. His contributions were recognized with numerous accolades, including the American Chemical Society's George & Christine Sosnovsky Award for Cancer Research, the American Association for Cancer Research's Award for Outstanding Achievement in Chemistry in Cancer Research, and the American Chemical Society's Alfred Burger Award in Medicinal Chemistry. He also received the Gustavus John Esselen Award for Chemistry in the Public Interest from the American Chemical Society, the Legacy Award from the American Lung Association, and a MERIT Award from the National Institutes of Health. Among Purdue University's highest honors, he was a recipient of the Order of the Griffin and the Morrill Award, and was named to IBJ Media's 2025 list of Indiana's most influential people. Purdue University honored his immense impact by constructing the Drug Discovery Building in 2014, partly to support his expansive research endeavors.

In a testament to his enduring commitment to future generations of scientists and patients, Philip and his wife, Joan, made a founding gift in April 2025 to establish the Low Institute for Therapeutics (LIFT) at Purdue University. This nonprofit organization, supported by a generous $20 million gift from the Low family over five years, aims to bridge the gap between academic discovery and early-stage clinical development, ensuring that his legacy of accelerating life-saving innovations continues to reduce human suffering and mortality. His son, Dr. Stewart Low, serves as the head of the institute, which will license promising Purdue intellectual property to advance technologies into clinical development. A devout member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Philip Low believed that science not only supported but also confirmed his faith.

Just days before his passing, Philip Low delivered his last public presentation at the Fourth Purdue AMR Conference on February 25-26, 2026, where he discussed the "Design and Validation of Mutation-Resistant Therapies for Malaria and Influenza Virus Infections." The organizing committee shared their condolences, acknowledging his profound and lasting impact.

Beyond his professional achievements, Philip Low was known for his kindness, generosity, and dedication to his family. He is survived by his beloved wife, Joan (née Foord), whom he married on December 19, 1969, in Salt Lake City, Utah. He also leaves behind their five children, Philip, Tara, Emily, Justin, and Stewart, and nineteen cherished grandchildren. His profound impact on medical science, his entrepreneurial spirit, and his visionary philanthropy will continue to inspire generations of students and colleagues, leaving an irreplaceable void in the scientific community and the lives of those he touched.