Dr. Paul Janssen Award for Biomedical Research Issues 2019 Call for Nominations to Celebrate Champions of Science

NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J., Jan. 10, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Nominations are now being accepted for the 2019 Dr. Paul Janssen Award for Biomedical Research. This prestigious award celebrates today's most dedicated researchers and champions of science 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, 2019 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, who was responsible for breakthrough treatments in key disease areas including pain management, psychiatry, infectious disease and gastroenterology. Janssen founded Janssen Pharmaceutica, N.V., now part of the Johnson & Johnson Family of Companies.

"Behind every discovery that holds the promise for saving and improving lives are the scientists who pursue a vision and work tirelessly for many years to make it possible," 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. Paul by recognizing the outstanding researchers and champions of science who make a lasting impact on our world."

In 2018, the Dr. Paul Janssen Award recognized James Allison, Ph.D. of the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center for pioneering a novel and effective strategy to harness the immune system for treating solid tumor cancers. Dr. Allison joined 15 other scientists who have received the Dr. Paul Janssen Award since its founding in 2004, and he also is the third Dr. Paul Janssen Award recipient who went on to win the Nobel Prize in the same year.

"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 2019 Dr. Paul Janssen Award selection committee. "The selection committee encourages nominations of scientists from academia, industry, government and scientific institutions around the world who champion science through the work they do everyday and exemplify the leadership and passion of Dr. Paul."

Previous Award winners include:

• 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 – 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 2019 Dr. Paul Janssen Award winner will be announced in spring 2019.

About The Dr. Paul Janssen Award for Biomedical Research 
Established by Johnson & Johnson, The Dr. Paul Janssen Award salutes champions of science and 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 
At Johnson & Johnson (NYSE: JNJ), 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  

SOURCE Johnson & Johnson