NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J., Oct. 8 /PRNewswire/ -- Nominations are now being accepted for The 2009 Dr. Paul Janssen Award for Biomedical Research, which recognizes scientists in basic or clinical research who have made significant transformational contributions toward the improvement of human health. Nominations will be accepted online at www.pauljanssenaward.com until December 15, 2008 for evaluation by an independent Selection Committee. The winner(s) will be announced in May 2009.
Instituted in 2004, the Award includes a $100,000 cash prize to the recipient(s). Beginning in 2009, the Award will be issued annually in an ongoing celebration of the legacy of Dr. Paul Janssen. Known by colleagues throughout the scientific community as "Dr. Paul," he founded Janssen Pharmaceutica, N.V., and was one of the most productive scientists of the 20th century.
"Since its inception, this Award has recognized not only seminal scientific work, but also the core values that Dr. Paul embodied -- passion, leadership and innovation," said Paul Stoffels, M.D., who worked with Dr. Paul while at Janssen Pharmaceutica, N.V. and is now company group chairman, Research and Development, Pharmaceuticals, Johnson & Johnson. "It has been our privilege to be able to bestow this Award in Dr. Paul's memory, and we are pleased to present it annually in celebration of his work, and that of other pioneering researchers who have made a global impact on human health."
At ceremonies earlier this month, the 2008 Award was presented to Professor Marc Feldmann, FMedSci, FAA, FRS and Emeritus Professor Sir Ravinder Maini, FRCP, FMedSci, FRS of the Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology, Imperial College London, for their role in the discovery of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) as an effective therapeutic target for rheumatoid arthritis and other chronic inflammatory conditions. The 2006 Award was presented to Craig Mello, Ph.D., of the University of Massachusetts Medical School. Dr. Mello went on to win the 2006 Nobel Prize in Medicine in conjunction with Andrew Z. Fire of Stanford University, for their discovery of RNA interference. He now serves on The Dr. Paul Janssen Award for Biomedical Research Selection Committee.
"Like Dr. Paul, each of the 2006 and 2008 winners is a pioneer who has broken new ground in biomedical research and shaped the future of medicine," said Harlan Weisman, M.D., chief science and technology officer, Medical Devices and Diagnostics, Johnson & Johnson.
"Biomedical research touches millions of lives and continues to contribute significantly to improved health and well-being around the world. The nominations we receive reflect the deep commitment that is behind such work," said Solomon Snyder, Ph.D., distinguished service professor of neuroscience, pharmacology and psychiatry, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine and chair, The Dr. Paul Janssen Award Selection Committee. "Once again, the committee looks forward to identifying the scientist or scientists whose work is bringing about positive change in human health."
About The Dr. Paul Janssen Award for Biomedical Research
Established by Johnson & Johnson, The Dr. Paul Janssen Award salutes 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 Dr. Paul Janssen Award is named for Dr. Paul Janssen, who founded Janssen Pharmaceutica, N.V. in 1953. Known to his colleagues as "Dr. Paul," Janssen was one of the 20th century's most gifted and passionate researchers, a physician-scientist who helped save millions of lives through his contribution to the discovery and development of more than 80 medicines, of which five are on the World Health Organization's list of essential medicines. In 1961, Janssen Pharmaceutica, N.V. joined the Johnson & Johnson Family of Companies. For more information about the award, visit http://www.pauljanssenaward.com.
CONTACT: Seema Kumar of Johnson & Johnson Pharmaceutical Research &
Development, L.L.C., +1-908-218-6460, seema@prdus.jnj.com; or Lisa Vaga of
Johnson & Johnson Pharmaceutical Research & Development, L.L.C.,
+1-908-670-0363, lvaga@its.jnj.com; or Frederik Wittock of Johnson &
Johnson Pharmaceutical Research & Development, Division of Janssen
Pharmaceutica, N.V., +32 14 60 57 24, fwittock@prdbe.jnj.com
Web site: http://www.pauljanssenaward.com/
