Dr. Watkins was honored along with Drs. David Julius and Baruch Minke. In bestowing the award, the Prince of Asturias Foundation stated "Recognized by the scientific community as world leaders in the area of sensorial neurobiology, David Julius, Baruch Minke and Linda Watkins, have discovered from complementary approaches, the causes and mechanisms via which pain is produced and perceived, as well as other sensations such as cold, heat and taste. The findings of these scientists open up new and hopeful paths for the rational design of specific therapies and drugs for the selective treatment of the different types of pain, one of the greatest challenges of all time."
Previous recipients of the award include, George Whitesides, Jane Goodall, Vinton Cerf, Tim Berners-Lee, Craig Venter, Francis Collins and many other scientific luminaries.
Xalud's Chief Scientific Officer, John Forsayeth, congratulated Dr. Watkins on receiving the award, noting "the entire Xalud team is delighted to see Linda's tremendous accomplishments recognized with such a prestigious award. We have all been enriched by her incredible scientific insights and her determination to unravel the mysteries surrounding the causes of pain."
Watkins is a world-renown leader in glia research and the neurological applications of glial attenuation, with a focus on alleviation of chronic pain. She is the recipient of the highest award for distinguished basic science research from the American Pain Society, the 2010 John Liebeskind Pain Management Research Award from the American Academy of Pain Management and the 2010 Prince of Asturias prize for scientific and technical research. She has over 300 peer-reviewed publications including articles in Nature, Science, Nature Neuroscience, and Journal of Neuroscience.
Xalud Therapeutics, Inc. is an early stage biotechnology company based in San Francisco, CA. Using Dr. Watkins' discoveries, Xalud is developing novel therapies for the treatment of neuropathic pain and other diseases of the central nervous system. To learn more, please go to www.xaludthera.com .
Media Contact: Peter Heinecke 650-380-1926 info@xaludthera.com
