Introduction: Ivan Horbachevsky (May 5, 1854 – May 5, 1942) was a Ukrainian pioneer in the study of biochemistry, epidemiology, and medicine. He was the first individual to synthesize uric acid in 1882 and discovered xanthine oxidase from 1889 to 1891. These discoveries have gone on to inform the urological basis for the etiology and treatment for uric acid nephrolithiasis. Methods: A review of the literature of all aspects of Ivan Horbachevsky’s life was perfomed. Results: Ivan Horbachevsky was born in Ternopil, Ukraine in 1854. He attended the University of Vienna, graduating in 1877. He conducted research through the university and was appointed as an assistant within the Institute of Medicinal Chemistry, studying medical, organic, and biological chemistry. During his time in Vienna, Horbachevsky was the first individual to synthesize uric acid from urea and glycine amino acid in 1882. As a result, he was awarded a professorship in chemistry at the Czech University in Prague in 1884. He isolated all the amino acids, proving their role as the foundation for proteins, established their synthesis and decomposition, and discovered xanthine oxidase in the late 1880s. Horbachevsky was a celebrated academician during his life. He was elected to the Royal Czech Scientific society, founded the Institute of Medical Chemistry at Charles University, and founded the Ukrainian Free University in 1919. Later in life, Horbachevsky became a champion of public health. He was elected as a member of the Czech Sanitary Council, advanced Prague’s sewer system design, and became the Austrian Minister of Health in 1918. He continued to publish and author textbooks, such as Medical Chemistry in Four Volumes 1904-8 and Organic Chemistry, 1925, until his death in 1942. In celebration for his passion for biochemistry, his groundbreaking discoveries, and contributions to medical education, the Ternopil State Medical University in Ukraine was named after Horbachevsky in 1992. Conclusions: Ivan Horbachevsky was a pioneer in biochemistry who synthesized uric acid and discovered xanthine oxidase. These discoveries would establish urologists’ knowledge of uric acid nephrolithiasis, representing 10% of all urinary calculi. These stones can be successfully dissolved by using potassium citrate and prevented through use of xanthine oxidase inhibitors. These discoveries in addition to his achievements and societal contributions have established Ivan Horbachevsky’s role as the Father of Ukrainian and Czech Biochemistry. SOURCE OF Funding: None
