Dr. Paul Janssen Award for Biomedical Research Issues 2017 Call for Nominations

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Jan 10, 2017, 09:00 ET

NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J., Jan. 10, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- The Dr. Paul Janssen Award for Biomedical Research today opens its 2017 call for nominations. This prestigious award recognizes individuals whose basic or clinical discoveries have made, or have the potential to make, significant contributions toward improving human health. Nominations will be accepted until February 28, 2017 at www.pauljanssenaward.com for consideration by an independent selection committee of world-renowned scientists. A $200,000 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), one of the most productive pharmaceutical scientists of the 20th century. Janssen was responsible for breakthrough treatments in key disease areas including pain management, psychiatry, infectious disease and gastroenterology, and founded Janssen Pharmaceutica, N.V., now part of the Johnson & Johnson Family of Companies (NYSE: JNJ).

"Dr. Paul devoted his life to making a difference for patients through scientific innovation," said Paul Stoffels, M.D., Chief Scientific Officer, Johnson & Johnson. "It takes creativity, courage and an unwavering commitment to bring forward new research. That's why we are proud to honor the legacy of Dr. Paul by recognizing those innovative scientists whose discoveries help us better understand and, ultimately, solve the major health issues facing our world today."

In 2016, the Dr. Paul Janssen Award recognized Dr. Yoshinori Ohsumi, Ph.D., of the Tokyo Institute of Technology for his pioneering discoveries concerning the molecular basis of autophagy, which hold promise for better understanding, preventing and treating many diseases. Dr. Ohsumi subsequently won the Nobel Prize for the same work.

"Scientific research is crucial to advancing our understanding of the mechanisms underlying human health and disease," said David Julius, Ph.D., Professor and Chair of the Department of Physiology at the University of California, San Francisco, and Chair of the 2017 Dr. Paul Janssen Award selection committee. "The selection committee encourages nominations of deserving scientists from academia, industry, government and scientific institutions around the world who exemplify the leadership and passion of Dr. Paul and whose work helps to advance science and medicine."

Previous Award winners include:

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 – Napoleone Ferrara, M.D.
2010 – Anthony S. Fauci, M.D. and Erik De Clercq, M.D., Ph.D.,
2009 – Axel Ullrich, Ph.D.
2008 – Professor Marc Feldmann, FMedSci, FAA, FRS, Emeritus Professor and Sir Ravinder Maini, FRCP, FMedSci, FRS
2006 – Craig Mello, Ph.D., Nobel Laureate

To learn more about past Dr. Paul Janssen Award winners, visit www.pauljanssenaward.com.

The 2017 Dr. Paul Janssen Award winner will be announced in spring 2017.

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 Award is named after the scientist who founded Janssen Pharmaceutica, N.V. in 1953. Known to his colleagues as "Dr. Paul," Janssen 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. We embrace research and science — bringing innovative ideas, products and services to advance the health and well-being of people. Our approximately 126,900 employees at more than 250 Johnson & Johnson operating companies work with partners in health care to touch the lives of over a billion people every day, throughout the world.

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