The Galien Foundation Announces 2026 Prix Galien USA, International Prix Galien and Prix Galien Patient First Award Recipients

• Milestone 20th Anniversary of Prix Galien USA edition honors groundbreaking achievements advancing global healthcare and patient outcomes

NEW YORK, Oct. 30, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The Galien Foundation, the premier global institution dedicated to honoring innovation in the life sciences, celebrated the 20th anniversary of the Prix Galien USA Awards last night at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City. The event brought together distinguished leaders from the biomedical industry and academia to recognize outstanding achievements advancing medical innovation and patient care. This year's winners were selected by the Prix Galien USA Committees, comprising 25 committee members, 11 subcommittee members and 15 advisory board members, including three Nobel Laureates, and were honored across eight categories: "Best Biotechnology Product," "Best Pharmaceutical Product," "Best Product for Rare/Orphan Diseases," Best Medical Technology," "Best Digital Health Solution," "Incubators, Accelerators and Equity," "Prix Galien EcoHealth," and "Best Startup."

The ceremony also celebrated the inaugural Prix Galien Patient First Award, which honors exceptional advocacy and commitment to improving the patient journey, alongside the Prix Galien International recipients. Presented every two years, the International awards recognize previous national Prix Galien winners across six categories: "Best Biotechnology Product," "Best Digital Health Solution," "Best Medical Technology," "Best Pharmaceutical Product," "Best Product for Orphan/Rare Diseases," and "Best Startup."

"The Prix Galien Awards recognize the visionaries and organizations pushing the boundaries of healthcare and transforming the way we prevent, diagnose and treat disease. As we mark two decades of honoring excellence in the U.S., we are equally as proud to celebrate our International recipients and Patient First Award honorees for their relentless dedication to advancing scientific discovery, elevating patient care, and bringing life-changing solutions to communities worldwide,said Kenneth Frazier, Prix Galien Committee Chair (categories: Medical Technology, Digital Health, Incubator/Accelerator/Equity, and Startup), former Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Merck & Co., Inc., Chairman, Health Assurance Initiatives, General Catalyst.

The 2026 Prix Galien USA Award Winners

The 2026 Prix Galien International Winners

The 2026 Prix Galien Patient First Award Winners

"Behind every meaningful advance in medicine are the researchers, entrepreneurs and healthcare leaders who are willing to challenge conventional thinking and pursue new possibilities. The Prix Galien Award Committees are proud to honor this year's USA and International recipients, alongside our Patient First Award honorees, for their exceptional contributions to scientific progress and their commitment to addressing unmet medical needs," said Michael Rosenblatt, MD, Chair of the Prix Galien USA Awards Committee, former Dean of Tufts University School of Medicine, and former Chief Medical Officer of Merck & Co. Inc. "Their collective work represents the determination, advocacy, and global collaboration needed to turn promising ideas into life-changing advances for patients everywhere."

The Roy Vagelos Pro Bono Humanum Award for Global Health Equity was presented to John Kerry, former U.S. Secretary of State, U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Climate, and U.S. Senator, in recognition of his longstanding leadership in advancing global health, human rights, and environmental sustainability. Throughout his tenure in the Senate and as Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Secretary Kerry championed global HIV/AIDS relief, fought stigma, advocated for critical funding for the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), and co-authored the historic bipartisan repeal of the 20-year U.S. HIV visa ban. As the first U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Climate, he further advanced the connection between environmental sustainability and public health, reinforcing the importance of protecting the planet as a foundation for a healthier future.

"As we celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Prix Galien USA Awards, we are proud to recognize the innovators whose work is shaping the future of medicine and improving the lives of patients around the world," said Bruno Cohen, Chairman of The Galien Foundation. "This year's celebration is especially meaningful as we honor our Prix Galien USA, International Prix Galien, and Prix Galien Patient First Award recipients, while also presenting The Roy Vagelos Pro Bono Humanum Award for Global Health Equity to Secretary John Kerry in recognition of his extraordinary lifetime of public service and dedication to global healthcare and climate initiatives. On behalf of The Galien Foundation, our Awards Committees, and the Prix Galien Alumni, we congratulate all of this year's honorees and look forward to the continued impact of their work."

The Prix Galien Awards were created in 1970 by Roland Mehl in honor of Galien, the father of medical science and modern pharmacology, to recognize outstanding innovation and scientific advancement. With chapters in 16 countries and Africa, Prix Galien is regarded worldwide as the equivalent of the Nobel Prize for the life science industry.

International Prix Galien Awards Committee

Pr. Awa Marie COLL SECK
Minister of State to the President of the Republic of Senegal, President of the Scientific Committee of the Galien Forum Africa
Africa

Pr. Koen AUGUSTYNS
Full Professor of Medicinal Chemistry at the University of Antwerp.
Belgium/ Luxembourg

Dr. Mikael DOSTEN
Former Chief Scientific Officer & President, Worldwide Research, Pfizer. Board Member, Agilent Technologies, Rocket Pharmaceuticals, Chai Discovery, BenchSci, and Enveda Biosciences
Bridges (Nordic+/Austria/Israel/Portugal/Spain)

Pr. Ernesto L. SCHIFFRIN
Physician-in-Chief, Dept. of Medicine, Jewish General Hospital; Director, Hypertension and Vascular Research Unit, Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research; Dist. James McGill Prof. and Assoc. Chair, Dept. of Medicine, McGill University
Canada

Dr. Annick TIBI
Head of Clinical Trials Department, AGEPS, AP-HP, Associate Professor, Head of UP "Pharmaceutical Development and Innovation", Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Paris
France

Pr. Marianne DIETERICH, Director of the neurology clinic and outpatient department at the University Hospital of Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich (LMU).
Germany

Pr. George P. CHROUSOS
Professor, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian School of Athens
Greece

Pr. Ashutosh SHARMA
President, Indian National Science Academy
India

Pr. Pier Luigi CANONICO
Professor Emeritus of Pharmacology, Università del Piemonte Orientale Amedeo Avogadro
Italy

Pr. Takashi KADOWAKI
President of the Japanese Association of Medical Sciences
Japan

Pr. Yeong Min PARK
CEO, Korea Drug Development Fund
Korea

Pr. Cezary SZCZYLIK
Polish Professor of Medical Science Specializing in Oncology, Hematology and Internal Diseases
Poland

Pr. Christoph RENNER
Professor of Hematology and Medical Oncology; Director, Medical Program for Cell Therapy, Klinik Hirslanden, Zurich
Switzerland

Pr. Dr. Lisette van GERMERT-PIJNEN
Full Professor Persuasive Health Technology, University of Twente, and Visiting Professor, University of Waterloo
The Netherlands

Pr. Sir Munir PIRMOHAMED
David Weatherall Chair of Medicine, University of Liverpool, UK
United Kingdom

Mr. Kenneth C. FRAZIER
Retired Chairman and CEO, Merck & Co; Chairman, Health Assurance Initiatives, General Catalyst
United States of America

Dr. Michael ROSENBLATT
Member, Harvard Board of Overseers Advisory Partner, Ascenta Capital; Senior Advisor, Bain Capital Life Sciences & Flagship Pioneering; Member, Harvard Board of Overseers
United States of America

Prix Galien USA Awards Committee 2026

Prix Galien Best Medical Technology, Best Digital Health Solution, Best Incubator / Accelerator / Equity, and Best Startup Committee 2026

Kenneth C. FRAZIER
Committee Chair, Former Chairman & CEO Merck

Roch DOLIVEUX
Honorary CEO, UCB

Dr. Mikael DOLSTEN
Former Chief Scientific Officer & President, Pfizer Research and Development

Alex GORSKY
Former CEO & Executive Chairman, Johnson & Johnson

Penny HEATON
M.D., Global Head, Office of the Chief Medical Officer, Johnson & Johnson

Sheri McCOY
Board of Directors, AstraZeneca, Former CEO, Avon

Joel S. MARCUS
Executive Chairman & Founder, Alexandria

Christophe WEBER,
Healthcare Executive, Former CEO Takeda Pharmaceutical

Elias ZERHOUNI
Former Head of Global R&D, Sanofi

Prix Galien Biotechnology, Pharmaceutical and Rare/Orphan Diseases Awards Committee 2026

Michael ROSENBLATT
M.D., Galien Forum Co-Chair, Former Dean of Tufts University School of Medicine, Former Chief Medical Officer of Merck & Co., Inc., Member, Harvard Board of Overseers
Prix Galien Committee Chair

Linda BUCK
Ph.D., Nobel Laureate, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center member; Professor of Physiology and Biophysics, University of Washington

Susan DESMOND-HELLMANN
M.D., M.P.H., Former Chief Executive Officer, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

Laurie GLIMCHER
M.D., President and CEO, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School

Avram HERSHKO
M.D., Ph.D., Nobel Laureate, Distinguished Professor, Department of Biochemistry, Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion, Israel Institute of Technology

Mary-Claire KING
Ph.D., American Cancer Society Professor of Genome Sciences and Medical Genetics, University of Washington

Sir Cato T. LAURENCIN
M.D., Ph.D., K.C.S.L., Chief Executive Officer, The Cato T. Laurencin Institute at UConn; The University Professor and Van Dusen Distinguished Endowed Professor, University of Connecticut

Steven J. LESTER
M.D., Medical Director, Discovery Oasis; Founder and Chief Medical Officer, Mayo Clinic and ASU Alliance for Health Care Accelerator

Stanley B. PRUSINER
M.D., Nobel Laureate, Professor of Neurology, Director, Institute for Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of California, San Francisco

Phillip A. SHARP
Ph.D., Nobel Laureate, Professor of Biology and member of the Koch Institute, Chair of the advisory board of the MIT Jameel Clinic

Marc TESSIER-LAVIGNE
Ph.D., President Emeritus and Professor, Stanford University

Prix Galien USA EcoHealth

Adam SCHECHTER
Committee Chair
Chairman and CEO, Labcorp

Gil BASHE
Chair Global Health and Purpose, FINN Partners
Editor-in-Chief, Medika Life
Galien Foundation Committee Liaison

Ouided BOUCHAMAOUI
Nobel Peace Prize
Professor of Practice of Diplomacy and Conflict Resolution at NYU Abu Dhabi

Pr. Awa Marie COLL-SECK, MD, PhD
Former Senior Minister to the President of Senegal
Former Minister of Health
Chair of Galien Africa

Judith DIMENT MBE
Dean Rotary Representatives to the United Nations 2020-2024
Vice Chair International Polio Plus Committee
Rotary Representative, Commonwealth Nations

James E.K. HILDRETH, Ph.D., MD
President and CEO, Meharry Medical College

Prix Galien Medical Technology Sub-Committee:

Robert S. LANGER
David H. Koch Institute Professor, Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Cato T. LAURENCIN
M.D., Ph.D., University Professor, University of Connecticut

Steven LESTER
M.D., Chief Medical Officer, Mayo Clinic-ASU MedTech Accelerator

Bernard POUSSOT
Director, Roche Holding, Former Chairman & CEO, Wyeth, Chairman Prix Galien, In Memoriam

Prix Galien Incubators, Accelerators, and Equity Category Sub Committee:

Gil BASHE
Managing Partner, Chair Global Health and Purpose, FINN Partners

Ron COHEN
M.D., Founder, President & CEO, Acorda Therapeutics

Jamey EDWARDS
Former CEO, Emergent Medical Associates

Amir KALALI
M.D., Chairman & Chief Curator CNS Summit/Co-Chair Decentralized Trial Research Alliance

Michelle LONGMIRE
M.D., Co-Founder & CEO, Medable Inc.

James PRUTOW
J.D., MBA, Advisory Partner – Life Sciences, Molecular Diagnostics, Global Healthcare, PwC Consulting

Julien de SALABERRY
CEO & Founder, Galen Growth

Prix Galien Startup Advisory Board:

Elaine BRENNAN
Executive Director, Global Strategic Partnerships, Northwell Health

Rodolphe KATRA
Ph.D.,Sr. Research Director & Technical Fellow, Medtronic

Michael LANGER
Founder and Managing Partner at T.Rx Capital

Jonathan MARCHADO
Managing Director, Samsung Next

Detlev MENNERICH
Corporate SVP, Global Head of Business Development &Licensing (BD&L), Boehringer Ingelheim

Leighanne OH
MS, Life Sciences Investor, Novo Holding

Denis PATRIC
Ph.D., Emerging Science & Innovation, Partnering Pfizer

Dennis PURCELL
Founder, Aisling Capital

Prix Galien Digital Health Advisory Board:

Junaid BAJWA
Chief Medical Scientist, Microsoft Research, Microsoft

Ariel KATZ
CEO and Co-foudner, H1

Sachin NANAVATI
Head, Industry, Healthcare, Google

Jay RAJDA
M.D., Clinical Leader, Healthcare, Amazon

MaryAnne RIZK
Ph.D., Managing Partner, Rizk Management Advisors, Adjunct Professor, Stevens Institute of Technology

Steven ROSENBERG
Chief Executive Officer, uMotif

Daniel VIAL
Former Advisor of Sanofi CEO, Healthcare Consultant

Prix Galien Patient First Award Judges 2026

Amy P. ABERNETHY, M.D., Ph.D.
Cofounder, Highlander Health; Former Principal Deputy Commissioner, FDA

Ronald BARTEK, MA
Co-founder/President, Friedreich's Ataxia Research Alliance; Board of Directors/past Chairman, National Organization for Rare Disorders; Vice President & Board of Directors, Alliance for a Stronger FDA, Board of Directors, Alliance for Regenerative Medicine

David FAJGENBAUM, M.D., MBA, MSc.
Co-Founder & President of Every Cure; Faculty member, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine

Julie FLESHMAN, J.D., MBA
President & CEO, Pancreatic Cancer Action Network

Julie GERBERDING, M.D., MPH
President & CEO, Foundation for the National Institutes of Health (FNIH)

Margaret HAMBURG, M.D.
Co-President, InterAcademy Partnership; Former Commissioner, US Food and Drug Administration

Steven LESTER, M.D.
Medical Director, Discovery Oasis and Founder and Chief Medical Officer, Mayo Clinic and ASU Alliance for Health Care Accelerator

Tania SIMONCELLI, MS
Vice President, Translational Impact & Engagement, Biohub

Andrew SPIEGEL, Esq.
Chairman, World Patient Alliance

Sheri STRAHL, MBA, MPH
President & CEO, ALS Network

Janet WOODCOCK, M.D.
Longtime Director of the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research and Former Principal Deputy Commissioner, USFDA; Board Member, Every Cure

Galien Patient First Award Advisory Board

Karla CHILDERS
Vice President, Bioethics, Policy & Partnerships, Johnson & Johnson

Grace CORDOVANO, Ph.D., BCPA
Founder, Enlightening Results, Kaiser Permanente Institute for Health Policy

Julie CRONER
Patient Leader & VP, Community Development, Health Union

Dave deBRONKART
Patient Advocate; Co-Founder & Chair Emeritus, Society for Participatory Medicine

Jan GEISSLER, MBA
Founder & CEO, Patvocates

Aaron LEIBTAG
CEO & Co-founder, Pentavere (a HEALWELL AI company)

Dana LEWIS
Founder, Open APS

Derick MITCHELL, Ph.D.
Executive Director of Programs, The Synergist

About The Galien Foundation
The Galien Foundation fosters, recognizes, and rewards excellence in scientific innovation to improve human health. Its vision is to serve as a catalyst for the development of the next generation of treatments and technologies that will transform medical practice and save lives. Established in Paris in 1970 by Roland Mehl in honor of Galen, the father of medical science and modern pharmacology, the Prix Galien is widely regarded as the equivalent of the Nobel Prize in biopharmaceutical research.

Today, the Prix Galien operates through 18 chapters spanning more than 75 countries across Africa, the Americas, Asia, and Europe. Expansion is currently underway in China, Singapore, and Australia.

In 2025, the Foundation launched the inaugural Prix Galien Bridges Forum and Awards Ceremony at the Nobel Forum in Stockholm, spanning Northern and Southern Europe, Israel, and the Middle East, and the first-ever Patient Summit for Prix Galien USA, reinforcing its commitment to science without borders.

The Nobel Prize and the Prix Galien share a common birthplace in Paris, where Alfred Nobel signed his last will and testament in 1895. However, while the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine recognizes up to three individuals for specific discoveries, the Prix Galien honors the collaborative spirit and multidisciplinary progress that define modern biopharmaceutical innovation.

For more information, visit www.galienfoundation.org.

Follow the Foundation on social media:
https://www.facebook.com/GalienFoundation/ 
https://twitter.com/GalienFdn
https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-galien-foundation/

Media Contact:
Kara Bradley
Finn Partners
[email protected]
646-213-7243

SOURCE The Galien Foundation