2022
Katalin Karikó, professor Drew Weissman, professor Uğur Şahin & dr. Özlem Türeci
Four scientists receive the Novo Nordisk Prize for their combined contributions to COVID-19 mRNA vaccine
The Novo Nordisk Foundation is awarding the Novo Nordisk Prize to pioneering researchers Professor Katalin Karikó, Professor Drew Weissman, Professor Uğur Şahin and Dr. Özlem Türeci for their scientific discoveries and development, which led to the approval of the first COVID-19 mRNA vaccine.
About Katalin Karikó
Katalin Karikó
Professor
- 1982: PhD, University of Szeged
- 1989: Research Assistant Professor, University of Pennsylvania
- 2005: Key discovery with Drew Weissman on modifying the mRNA to be suitable for disease treatment
- 2006: Co-founder and CEO of RNARx
- 2013: Vice President, BioNTech RNA Pharmaceuticals
- 2019: Senior Vice President, BioNTech RNA Pharmaceuticals
- 2021: Adjunct Professor, University of Pennsylvania
About Drew Weissman
Drew Weissman
Professor
- 1987: MD, PhD, Boston University
- 1987: Residency at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
- 1990: Fellowship at the NIAID/NIH under the supervision of Anthony Fauci
- 1997: Professor, University of Pennsylvania
- 2005: Key discovery with Katalin Karikó on modifying the mRNA to be suitable for disease treatment
- 2006: Co-founder of RNARx
About Uğur Şahin
Uğur Şahin
Professor
- 1990: MD, University of Cologne
- 1992: Resident, Saarland University Medical Center and research group leader
- 2000: Research group leader, University Medical Center, Johannes Gutenberg University (JGU), Mainz
- 2001: Co-founder, Ganymed Pharmaceuticals
- 2006: Full Professor, University Medical Center, Johannes Gutenberg University (JGU), Mainz
- 2006: Key discoveries for optimizing backbone elements enabling the development of potent mRNA vaccines
- 2008: Co-founder and CEO, BioNTech, Biopharmaceutical New Technologies
- 2015: Key innovation with Özlem Türeci pioneering the development of individualized mRNA cancer vaccines
- 2016: Key discovery of highly potent DC targeting lipid enveloped mRNA vaccines
- 2020: Development of the first mRNA-based vaccine approved for use against COVID-19
About Özlem Türeci
Özlem Türeci
Dr.
- 1992: MD, Faculty of Medicine of Saarland University
- 1992: Junior resident, Saarland University
- 1993: Research group leader, Saarland University
- 2000: Research group leader, University Medical Center, Johannes Gutenberg University (JGU), Mainz
- 2001: Co-founder and CEO, Ganymed Pharmaceuticals
- Since 2002: Associate Professor/Lecturer (“Privatdozent”), University Medical Center, Johannes Gutenberg University (JGU), Mainz
- 2006: Key discoveries with Uğur Şahin for optimizing backbone elements enabling the development of potent mRNA vaccines
- 2008: Co-founder and CMO, BioNTech, Biopharmaceutical New Technologies
- 2015: Key innovation with Uğur Şahin pioneering the development of individualized mRNA cancer vaccines
- 2016: Key discovery of highly potent DC targeting lipid enveloped mRNA vaccines
- 2020: Development of the first mRNA-based vaccine approved for use against COVID-19