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polysaccharides (Szejtli 1965a, b, 1965c, 1966). From there, Dr. Szejtli moved to
Germany, to the Institute of Nutrition of Potsdam, where he took up the position of
research fellow (1965–1966). In this institute, he studied the molecular conformation of amylose and its iodine complexes in aqueous solutions (Richter and Szejtli
1966; Szejtli and Augustat 1966; Szejtli et al. 1967a, b, 1968).
“After spent considerable time in rather cold and foggy climates” (Szente 1994),
Dr. Szejtli accepted in 1967 a position of professor at the University of Havana,
Cuba, “a decidedly warmer venue.” Dr. Szejtli often alluded to the importance of the
sun to polysaccharide scientists, saying “as long as the sun shines photosynthesis
will provide starch, the inexpensive raw material for polysaccharide scientists”
(Szente 1994). In Cuba, Professor Szejtli worked as an advisor of the Cuban government and UNESCO expert for 3 years. At that time, he studied new polysaccharides
such as chondroitin sulfate and pursued his studies on cycloamyloses-cyclodextrins,
“a fascinating group of compounds with interesting industrial potentialities” (Szejtli
1982a; Szente 1994, 2004; Szente and Fenyvesi 2016).
Following this period (1967–1970), Professor Szejtli returned in Hungary as
Head of Biochemical Research Laboratory at the Hungarian CHINOIN
Pharmaceutical & Chemical Works. CHINOIN was one of the biggest pharmaceutical companies in Hungary and in Europe. Professor Szejtli served this position from
1971 to 1988, where he first connected universities in Hungary and harmonized the
work of the Hungarian teams working on carbohydrate chemistry, enzymology, biotechnology, and technology. Professor Szejtli then connected the best scientists
working on cyclodextrins around the world and developed the International
Cyclodextrin Science. Its ultimate objective was to create an international cyclodextrin network.
In 1971, Professor Szejtli indeed organized the Biochemical Research Laboratory,
renovated an old building, and recruited scientists (Szente 1994, 2004). One year
later, Professor Szejtli started the research on polysaccharides including cyclodextrins (Fig. 2.2). This laboratory was the cradle of the Cyclodextrin Research and
Development Laboratory, CycloLab Ltd., an independent research organization
founded 15 years later (Szente 1994, 2004). He became the managing director of
this private company with the main objective to create commercial cyclodextrinbased products from his ideas, by “maintaining a balance between academic
research and industrial affairs.” Professor Szejtli has acted as a scientific, innovator,
inventor, and industrial at the same time (Szente and Fenyvesi 2016; Szente et al.
2016). Actually, CycloLab Ltd. is a worldwide recognized leader of cyclodextrin
technology.
In the mid-1970s, Professor Szejtli published his first experimental data on
cyclodextrins and also started to collaborate with several universities, research institutes, and companies. He organized the Hungarian Cyclodextrin Workshops twice a
year, where the Hungarian and invited researchers could present and discuss their
latest results. In 1973, he began “his crusade.” Indeed, Professor Szejtli travelled
extensively to convince everyone, from scientists and students to industrials, that
cyclodextrins held great commercial promise. In the meantime, the first
2 Professor József Szejtli: The Godfather of Cyclodextrins
polysaccharides (Szejtli 1965a, b, 1965c, 1966). From there, Dr. Szejtli moved to
Germany, to the Institute of Nutrition of Potsdam, where he took up the position of
research fellow (1965–1966). In this institute, he studied the molecular conformation of amylose and its iodine complexes in aqueous solutions (Richter and Szejtli
1966; Szejtli and Augustat 1966; Szejtli et al. 1967a, b, 1968).
“After spent considerable time in rather cold and foggy climates” (Szente 1994),
Dr. Szejtli accepted in 1967 a position of professor at the University of Havana,
Cuba, “a decidedly warmer venue.” Dr. Szejtli often alluded to the importance of the
sun to polysaccharide scientists, saying “as long as the sun shines photosynthesis
will provide starch, the inexpensive raw material for polysaccharide scientists”
(Szente 1994). In Cuba, Professor Szejtli worked as an advisor of the Cuban government and UNESCO expert for 3 years. At that time, he studied new polysaccharides
such as chondroitin sulfate and pursued his studies on cycloamyloses-cyclodextrins,
“a fascinating group of compounds with interesting industrial potentialities” (Szejtli
1982a; Szente 1994, 2004; Szente and Fenyvesi 2016).
Following this period (1967–1970), Professor Szejtli returned in Hungary as
Head of Biochemical Research Laboratory at the Hungarian CHINOIN
Pharmaceutical & Chemical Works. CHINOIN was one of the biggest pharmaceutical companies in Hungary and in Europe. Professor Szejtli served this position from
1971 to 1988, where he first connected universities in Hungary and harmonized the
work of the Hungarian teams working on carbohydrate chemistry, enzymology, biotechnology, and technology. Professor Szejtli then connected the best scientists
working on cyclodextrins around the world and developed the International
Cyclodextrin Science. Its ultimate objective was to create an international cyclodextrin network.
In 1971, Professor Szejtli indeed organized the Biochemical Research Laboratory,
renovated an old building, and recruited scientists (Szente 1994, 2004). One year
later, Professor Szejtli started the research on polysaccharides including cyclodextrins (Fig. 2.2). This laboratory was the cradle of the Cyclodextrin Research and
Development Laboratory, CycloLab Ltd., an independent research organization
founded 15 years later (Szente 1994, 2004). He became the managing director of
this private company with the main objective to create commercial cyclodextrinbased products from his ideas, by “maintaining a balance between academic
research and industrial affairs.” Professor Szejtli has acted as a scientific, innovator,
inventor, and industrial at the same time (Szente and Fenyvesi 2016; Szente et al.
2016). Actually, CycloLab Ltd. is a worldwide recognized leader of cyclodextrin
technology.
In the mid-1970s, Professor Szejtli published his first experimental data on
cyclodextrins and also started to collaborate with several universities, research institutes, and companies. He organized the Hungarian Cyclodextrin Workshops twice a
year, where the Hungarian and invited researchers could present and discuss their
latest results. In 1973, he began “his crusade.” Indeed, Professor Szejtli travelled
extensively to convince everyone, from scientists and students to industrials, that
cyclodextrins held great commercial promise. In the meantime, the first
2 Professor József Szejtli: The Godfather of Cyclodextrins