Foremost researchers of the Institute

• V.V. Zakusov (1903 - 1986), academician of AMS USSR was the founder and Director of the Institute from 1952 till 1979. He has laid the grounds, main research guidelines and traditions which are still of current value and concern. In 1976 for achievements in studies on synaptic action of pharmacologically active compounds professor V. Zakusov was awarded Lenin Prize (jointly with academician of AMS USSR S.V. Anichkov), and in 1980 he got the State Prize (group of authors). In respecting and promoting the best traditions in pharmacology V. Zakusov has educated a "galaxy" of disciples who developed novel lines of scientific research in neuro-, psycho- and cardiopharmacology. Main monographs by V. Zakusov are as follows: "Experimental Data in Pharmacology of the Central Nervous System" (1947), "Pharmacology of the Central Nervous System" (1953), "Pharmacology of Central Synapses" (1973), "Guidelines in Clinical Pharmacology" (1978) and others.
• N.K. Kochetkov (born 1915), academician of RAS, Lenin Prize laureate (1988), was the founder and first Head of the Department of Organic Synthesis of the Institute of Pharmacology and Chemotherapy. Brilliant expert in chemistry and synthesis, he has widely contributed the design and development of novel methods for synthesis of organic substances and their use in creating the physiologically active compounds, including pharmaceuticals such as anticonvulsant, antihistamine drugs, antituberculosis medicaments and etc.
• D.A. Kharkevich (born 1927), academician RAMS, adjuvant and disciple of Professor V. Zakusov, worked at the Institute in 50s-60s. His scientific interest focused on fundamental pharmacology of vegetative ganglia laying the grounds for targeted synthesis of novel ganglia blockers. Main monographs: "Ganglionic drugs" (1962), "Pharmacology of Curariform Drugs" (1969), "Pharmacology of Ganglionic Transmission" (1978) and others.
• Yu.I. Vikhlyaev (1924 - 1978) made substantial contribution to the development of pharmacology. At the Institute he founded and headed the first domestic Laboratory of Psychopharmacology (1955 - 1978). Yu.I. Vikhlyaev formed a sound basis to investigate experimentally the psychotropic, antiarrhythmic and spasmolytic activity of phenothiasine, immunotropic and anti-parkinsonian activity of adamantan derivatives, benzodiazepine tranquilizers. He has supervised the pioneer studies on pharmacokinetics of psychotropic drugs, evaluation of tolerability and dependence upon these drugs.
• A.V. Valdman (1924 - 1990), academician RAMS has been at the head of the Institute over the period of 1979 - 1990. His major contribution was made into the development of fundamentals of emotional stress psychopharmacology. Main monographs: "Experimental Neurophysiology of Emotions" (1972), "Psychopharmacology of Emotions" (1976), "Pharmacological Regulation of Emotional Stress" (1979) and others. In 1975 A. Valdman got Kravkov Prize and in 1991 he was awarded Pythagorean Prize by Rome Academy of Medical and Biological Sciences (post-mortem).
• The credit of creation and development of "Drug Toxicology" is largely due to B.I. Lyubimov (1930 - 2000), professor and member of RAMS. He was the leader in developing major methodological approaches to preclinical safety evaluation of newly created pharmaceuticals, general aspects of drug toxicology have been elaborated.
• Since 1960 till 1984 the Department of Chemistry was headed by professor Alexandre P. Skoldinov (1911-2003). Being in parallel the Head of Laboratory of Neurotransmitter Chemistry, he has developed techniques of new drugs production based on neurotranmitter mechanisms of action exerted by cholinitropic, psychotropic and cardiotropic substances. Under his supervision there were designed and introduced into medical practice the production techniques for laevomycetinum, tetracyclinum and novel drugs, pyromecainum, gigronium, anatruxonium, cyclobutonium, sodium and lithium oxybutirate, nonachlazinum, etmozin, ethacizin, bonnecor and etc.
• At present the scientific traditions and reach experience of the Institute are cherished and promoted by closest Zakusov's disciples - State Prize laureate  professor T.A. Voronina (1980), professor R.U. Ostrovskaya, professor R.S.Mirzoyan, professor G.G.Chichkanov, professor V.P.Zherdev, professor G.I.Kovalev, professor T.L.Garibova and others.