Professor Wolfgang Löscher is a distinguished German neuropharmacologist and veterinarian whose pioneering work has profoundly shaped modern epilepsy research and treatment. Born in Berlin in 1949, he graduated from the Free University of Berlin with a veterinary medicine degree in 1974 before pursuing specialized training in pharmacology and toxicology across Germany, Denmark, and the United States. He served as Director of the Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmacy at the University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover for over three decades from 1987 to 2019, establishing it as a leading center for neuropharmacological research. Since 2023, he has continued his groundbreaking work as a Guest Scientist at Hannover Medical School, where he heads the Translational Neuropharmacology Laboratory within the Department of Experimental Otology.
Dr. Löscher's most significant contribution to medicine was his instrumental role in developing Levetiracetam, which has become the most frequently prescribed antiepileptic drug worldwide and transformed therapeutic approaches for millions of patients with epilepsy. His extensive research program spanning more than fifty years has focused on elucidating mechanisms of pharmacoresistance in epileptic seizures, understanding the pathogenesis of acquired epilepsies, and developing innovative strategies for epilepsy prevention and treatment of neonatal seizures. With over 400 refereed publications, his work has established critical frameworks for understanding drug resistance mechanisms and has directly influenced clinical practice guidelines for managing refractory epilepsy. His research has not only advanced theoretical understanding but has also produced tangible therapeutic solutions that address previously unmet medical needs in neurological disorders.
Recognized internationally for his transformative contributions, Professor Löscher received the prestigious European Epileptology Award from the International League Against Epilepsy in 2014 and the American Epilepsy Society's Epilepsy Research Award for Basic Science Research in 2006, among numerous other honors. As an elected member of the German National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina since 2000 and the Academy of Europe since 2024, he continues to shape the direction of epilepsy research through his leadership and mentorship. His current translational work bridges basic science and clinical applications, focusing on novel therapeutic strategies for treatment-resistant epilepsy while training the next generation of neuropharmacologists. Professor Löscher's enduring legacy lies in his unique ability to translate fundamental scientific discoveries into practical clinical solutions that continue to improve outcomes for epilepsy patients globally.
