Herceptin scientist wins Janssen award for biomedical research
pharmafile | September 8, 2009 | News story | Research and Development |Â Â Herceptin, JanssenÂ
Johnson & Johnson has honoured the career achievements of Axel Ullrich by awarding him with the 2009 Dr Paul Janssen Award for Biomedical Research.
Dr Ullrich won the award for his scientific discoveries that led to innovative new drugs including Herceptin (trastuzumab), the therapy that was the first to target a specific type of breast cancer.
Ullrich also led the development of the first drug created through gene cloning, a recombinant human insulin for treating diabetes which arguably marked the beginning of the biotechnology age.
Harlan Weisman, the chief science and technology officer of medical devices at Johnson & Johnson, said: "Dr Ullrich's pioneering research translated genomics-based discoveries into new treatments that improve the lives of millions of patients."
He added: "The 2009 Award recognizes his commitment to advancing translational research, an approach that embodies the spirit of Dr Paul Janssen, who himself pioneered the development of more than 80 different medicines."
Johnson & Johnson established the Dr Paul Janssen Award to salute the most passionate and creative scientists in basic or clinical research, whose scientific achievements have made, or have strong potential to make, a measurable impact on human health.
The award is named after Dr Paul Janssen, who founded Janssen Pharmaceutica in 1953, now known as Janssen-Cilag and part of the J&J group.
Dr Ullrich, director for the Department of Molecular Biology, Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry in Germany, was presented with the Award during a ceremony at The Dr Paul Janssen Research Centre in Beerse, Belgium, where he received the $100,000 prize.
On accepting it he said: "It is an honour to be recognized with an award of this stature. Dr Paul was a highly respected scientist whose work continues to extend and improve the lives of people all over the world. I am truly humbled to be selected as the recipient of an award whose namesake carries on his tremendous legacy."
Ullrich has previously received prestigious honours and awards, including the Robert Koch Prize, the Bruce F. Cain Memorial Award of the American Association of Cancer Research and the King Faisal Prize of Medicine.
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