Johnson & Johnson Issues Dr. Paul Janssen Award for Biomedical Research Call for Nominations

NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J., Feb. 3, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- The Dr. Paul Janssen Award for Biomedical Research opens its 2014 call for nominations today. 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 March 14, 2014 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 2014 Dr. Paul Janssen Award winner will be announced midyear.

The Dr. Paul Janssen Award for Biomedical Research was established by Johnson & Johnson to honor 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. He founded Janssen Pharmaceutica NV, which became a Johnson & Johnson Company in 1961.

"Through the Dr. Paul Janssen Award for Biomedical Research, Johnson & Johnson is pleased to recognize talented scientists and celebrate their groundbreaking research," said Paul Stoffels, MD, Chief Scientific Officer and Worldwide Chairman, Pharmaceuticals, Johnson & Johnson. "Winners of the Dr. Paul Janssen Award are scientists who, like Dr. Paul, have helped to advance science, transform healthcare, and deliver more years of life and quality of life to people around the world."

The 2013 Award was presented to Dr. David Julius, PhD, chair of the Department of Physiology at the University of California, San Francisco. Dr. Julius was chosen for his discovery of the molecular mechanism that controls thermosensation (sensory perception of temperature) and elucidation of the role this mechanism plays in the sensation of acute and inflammatory pain. By connecting these dots, Dr. Julius supplied insight into the detection of painful stimuli, as well as how the nervous system detects changes in ambient temperature.

Previous Award winners include to Victor Ambros, PhD, Professor of Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School; Gary Ruvkun, PhD, Harvard Medical School Professor of Genetics at Massachusetts General Hospital; Napoleone Ferrara, MD, Genentech Fellow; Anthony S. Fauci, MD, director, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID); Erik De Clercq, MD, PhD, chairman, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical School at the Catholic University of Leuven; Axel Ullrich, PhD, 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, PhD, Nobel Laureate, of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute and University of Massachusetts Medical School.

About The Dr. Paul Janssen Award for Biomedical Research
The Dr. Paul Janssen Award for Biomedical Research is named for Dr. Paul Janssen, who founded Janssen Pharmaceutica NV 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. The Award was established by Johnson & Johnson to honor the memory of Dr. Paul, who, beyond the dedication and creativity he demonstrated in the laboratory, also inspired and mentored many young scientific leaders who went on to great achievements. 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 128,000 employees at more than 275 Johnson & Johnson operating companies work with partners in health care to touch the lives of over a billion people every day, throughout the world.

Contact:
Seema Kumar
Johnson & Johnson
908-218-6460 or [email protected]

Frederik Wittock
Janssen Global Services, LLC
+32 14 60 57 24 or [email protected]

SOURCE Johnson & Johnson