NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J., Jan. 10, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- The Dr. Paul Janssen Award for Biomedical Research today opens its 2013 call for nominations. This prestigious award recognizes individuals whose scientific research has made, or has the potential to make, significant transformational contributions toward the improvement of human health. Nominations will be accepted until February 28, 2013 at www.pauljanssenaward.com for consideration by an independent selection committee of world renowned scientists. A $100,000 cash prize will be awarded to the scientist or group of scientists receiving the Award.
The Dr. Paul Janssen Award for Biomedical Research honors Dr. Paul Janssen (1926-2003), who is widely recognized as one of the most productive scientists of the 20th century. Known throughout the scientific community as “Dr. Paul,” Janssen was responsible for breakthrough treatments in disease areas including pain management, psychiatry, infectious disease and gastroenterology, and founded Janssen Pharmaceutica, N.V., a Johnson & Johnson Company.
“Johnson & Johnson is pleased to recognize the ground-breaking research being done by dedicated and talented scientists around the world,” said Paul Stoffels, M.D., Chief Scientific Officer and Worldwide Chairman, Pharmaceuticals, Johnson & Johnson. “Through the Dr. Paul Janssen Award for Biomedical Research, we honor the inspirational legacy of Dr. Paul, applaud today’s researchers, and recognize the potential of scientific and technological advances to transform human health.”
In 2012, the Award was presented to Victor Ambros, Ph.D., of University of Massachusetts Medical School, and Gary Ruvkun, Ph.D., of Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, for their co-discovery of microRNAs as central regulators of gene expression and development. Their discovery opened new fields of research and has implications for the development of diagnostic tools and medicines.
“Scientific innovation has proven its tremendous value to individuals and society by extending and improving lives,” said Dr. Stoffels. “We must continue to celebrate and reward researchers and innovators whose passion and ideas help advance new healthcare solutions that address the needs of people around the world.”
Previous Award winners include Napoleone Ferrara, M.D., Genentech Fellow; Anthony S. Fauci, M.D., director, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID); Erik De Clercq, M.D., Ph.D., chairman, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical School at the Catholic University of Leuven; Axel Ullrich, Ph.D., director, Department of Molecular Biology, Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry in Germany; Professor Marc Feldmann, FMedSci, FAA, FRS, and Emeritus Professor Sir Ravinder Maini, FRCP, FMedSci, FRS, of the Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology, Imperial College London; and Craig Mello, Ph.D., Nobel Laureate, of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute and University of Massachusetts Medical School.
Beyond the passion and creativity Dr. Paul Janssen demonstrated in the laboratory, he also inspired and mentored many young scientific leaders who went on to great achievements in addressing medical need.
“As in past years, we look forward to selecting a 2013 Dr. Paul Janssen Award winner(s) from among the nominations of worthy individuals in research institutions and companies around the world, who has significantly improved human health through dedication to the advancement of science and medicine,” said Craig Mello, Ph.D., Howard Hughes Medical Institute Investigator and Professor, Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School and 2013 chair of the Dr. Paul Janssen Award Selection Committee.
The 2013 Dr. Paul Janssen Award winner will be announced in spring 2013.
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, four of which remain on the World Health Organization’s list of essential medicines. In 1961, Janssen Pharmaceutica, N.V. joined the Johnson & Johnson Family of Companies. Janssen’s legacy continues to inspire Johnson & Johnson and its commitment to finding innovative cures for unmet medical needs. Visit www.pauljanssenaward.com for more information.
About Johnson & Johnson
Caring for the world, one person at a time...inspires and unites the people of Johnson & Johnson (NYSE: JNJ). We embrace research and science bringing innovative ideas, products and services to advance the health and well-being of people. Our approximately 129,000 employees at more than 250 Johnson & Johnson companies work with partners in healthcare to touch the lives of over a billion people every day, throughout the world.
Contact:
Seema Kumar
Johnson & Johnson Services, Inc.
908-218-6460 or skumar10@its.jnj.com
Diane Pressman
Janssen Global Services, LLC
908-927-6171 or dpressm1@its.jnj.com
Frederik Wittock
Janssen Global Services, LLC
+32 14 60 57 24 or fwittock@its.jnj.com
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