NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J.,
Aug. 20, 2020 /PRNewswire/
-- Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:
JNJ) today announced Lewis
Cantley, Ph.D., of Weill Cornell Medicine and
NewYork-Presbyterian as the winner of the 2020 Dr. Paul Janssen Award for Biomedical Research for
his incisive research revealing the fundamental aspects of
metabolism that have profound implications for the understanding,
diagnosis and treatment of human diseases such as cancer and
diabetes.
"Like all of the past Dr. Paul
Janssen Award winners, and indeed like Dr. Janssen himself,
Dr. Cantley challenged the status quo, asked provocative questions,
and tirelessly followed his curiosity to uncover scientific
insights that have led to an expanded understanding of human
biology and the development of solutions that can improve people's
lives," said Paul Stoffels, M.D.,
Vice Chairman of the Executive Committee and Chief Scientific
Officer, Johnson & Johnson. "We are proud to honor the legacy
of Dr. Janssen by celebrating today's research pioneers like Dr.
Cantley."
Selected by an independent committee of world-renowned
scientists, Cantley won for his discovery of phosphoinositide 3
kinase (PI3K), a key enzyme that promotes cell growth and division,
and plays a critical role in diseases including cancer to diabetes,
as well as rare diseases such as mosaicism. He joins 18
scientists who have received the Dr. Paul Janssen Award since 2004, including
three who went on to win the Nobel Prize.
"I am honored to be named the winner of this year's Paul Janssen Award," said Dr. Cantley, the Meyer
Director of the Sandra and Edward Meyer Cancer Center at Weill
Cornell Medicine and NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical
Center and a professor of cancer biology at Weill Cornell Medicine.
"I share Dr. Janssen's passion for scientific exploration, and I'm
pleased to receive this recognition of the work done in my
laboratory."
The Award is part of Johnson & Johnson's Champions of
Science initiative to fuel public engagement, support and trust in
science.
"The critical role of science in our society has been brought to
the forefront by the COVID-19 pandemic," says Seema Kumar, Vice President, Innovation, Global
Health and Science Policy Communication, Johnson & Johnson.
"Today more than ever, we look to science to provide answers and
new solutions to maintain our health and solve complex medical
challenges. By sharing the stories of scientists across generations
and geographies, from students to those at the pinnacle of their
career, like the winners of the Dr. Paul
Janssen Award, we hope to engage more people in becoming
ardent champions of science."
Dr. Cantley's work will be celebrated during the Champions of
Science: Dr. Paul Janssen Award
2020 webcast, open to the public, on Wednesday, September 16, 2020, at 12:30 p.m. ET via Johnson & Johnson's page on
LinkedIn. This unique virtual celebration will honor Dr.
Cantley, showcase young innovators at the start of their STEM
journeys, and engage the public in a conversation about the
importance of science in society.
In addition, Dr. Cantley will be honored at a virtual scientific
symposium, presented in collaboration with the New York Academy of
Sciences, on September 16, 2020, at
9 a.m. ET. The event will feature
presentations from leading experts on the biology of cellular
metabolism and its role in human health and disease, including
Matthew Vander Heiden, M.D., Ph.D.
of the Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research at MIT,
Karen Vousden, Ph.D., of the Francis
Crick Institute, and Ulrike Philippar, Ph.D., of Janssen
Pharmaceuticals. Click here to register or for additional
information.
"Dr. Cantley's discoveries have transformed our understanding of
how human cellular metabolism works," said Richard P. Lifton, M.D., Ph.D., President of
The Rockefeller University and Dr.
Paul Janssen Award committee chair.
"The discovery of PI3K has led to better treatment of a range of
diseases, bringing hope to countless patients around the
world."
"The research of Dr. Cantley has been illustrative in
understanding the metabolic properties of malignant cells and in
informing more targeted approaches in cancer treatment," said
Peter Lebowitz, M.D., Ph.D., Global
Therapeutic Area Head, Oncology, Janssen Research &
Development, LLC. "Dr. Cantley's contributions have spurred
innovations in oncology that have ultimately benefited many
patients, and he has inspired many scientists to progress new
research strategies."
About Champions of Science
Science touches our lives
in every imaginable way. From antibiotics and telecommunications,
to genomics, precision medicine and 3D printing, science has
improved the human condition leading to longer, healthier, happier
lives for people all over the world. To continue to advance,
science needs champions!
As a global healthcare company, The Johnson & Johnson Family of
Companies is uniquely positioned to champion the role of science in
society. Champions of Science is a multi-faceted public engagement
initiative to convene and catalyze champions of science and engage
people of all generations and backgrounds to see the unlimited
opportunities that science brings. To learn more, visit
www.jnj.com/champions-of-science
About the Dr. Paul Janssen
Award for Biomedical Research
Dr. Paul Janssen was one of the 20th
century's most gifted and passionate researchers. He 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.
The Dr. Paul Janssen Award for
Biomedical Research was established by Johnson & Johnson in
2004 to honor the memory of Dr. Paul. Since its inception, the
Award has recognized 18 outstanding scientists, three of whom have
gone on to win the Nobel Prize for the same work. Winners are
chosen by an independent selection committee of the world's most
renowned scientists. The Award, which includes a $200,000 prize, is presented at ceremonies in
September.
Previous winners include:
- 2019 – Franz-Ulrich Hartl, M.D.,
and Arthur Horwich, M.D.
- 2018 – James Allison, Ph.D.
Nobel Laureate
- 2017 – Douglas Wallace,
Ph.D.
- 2016 – Yoshinori Ohsumi, Ph.D.
Nobel Laureate
- 2015 – Bert Vogelstein,
M.D.
- 2014 – Emmanuelle Charpentier,
Ph.D. and Jennifer Doudna,
Ph.D.
- 2013 – David Julius, Ph.D.
- 2012 – Victor Ambros, Ph.D., and
Gary Ruvkun, Ph.D.
- 2011 – Napoleon Ferrara,
M.D.
- 2010 – Anthony S. Fauci, M.D.
and Erick De Clercq, M.D.,
Ph.D.
- 2009 – Axel Ullrich, Ph.D.
- 2008 – Sri Ravinder Maini, FRCP,
FMedSci, FRS and Marc Feldmann,
FMedSci, FAA, FRS
- 2006 – Craig Mello, Ph.D., Nobel
Laureate
Learn more about The Dr. Paul
Janssen Award at www.pauljanssenaward.com
About Johnson & Johnson
At Johnson & Johnson,
we believe good health is the foundation of vibrant lives, thriving
communities and forward progress. That's why for more than 130
years, we have aimed to keep people well at every age and every
stage of life. Today, as the world's largest and most broadly based
health care company, we are committed to using our reach and size
for good. We strive to improve access and affordability, create
healthier communities, and put a healthy mind, body and environment
within reach of everyone, everywhere. We are blending our heart,
science and ingenuity to profoundly change the trajectory of health
for humanity. To learn more, visit www.jnj.com
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