He earned his doctorate in chemistry at the age of 23. He researched the structures of natural compounds and hormones.

In 1939, he was awarded the Nobel Prize for synthesizing terpene and hormone molecules.

This work also gave rise to a new branch of the pharmaceutical industry based on synthetic hormones. His patents brought him wealth, which he invested in a large collection of Old Master paintings, later bequeathed to his institute, ETH Zurich, after his death.