Dr. Endo was fascinated with molds and fungi, and, in the 1970s, turned to fungi in an effort to find a natural substance to block production of cholesterol. He grew more than 6,000 fungi until he found a strain of blue mold that fit the criteria. By the 1980s, Dr. Endo and his team published their research on statins. By 1987, other researchers confirmed the finding and Merck was the first manufacturer of licensed statins.
Dr. Endo received a Lasker Award for his medical research.
He is survived by his wife and two children.
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