The Galien Foundation Celebrates 20 Years of Prix Galien USA with Landmark 2026 Galien Week of Innovation
Milestone week brings together global leaders in science, medicine, industry, policy and patient advocacy, culminating in the 20th Annual Prix Galien USA & International Awards Ceremony
NEW YORK, Oct. 7, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The Galien Foundation, the premier global institution dedicated to honoring innovators in life sciences, today announced that the 2026 Galien Week of Innovation will take place October 26-29, culminating in a day of events in New York City. Marking the 20th anniversary of Prix Galien USA, the week brings together leaders in science, medicine, industry, government and patient advocacy from around the world. This milestone edition will celebrate two decades of breakthroughs that have transformed patients' lives while looking ahead to the next frontiers of medical innovation. The week will feature virtual nominee showcases, the Galien Forum, the Galien Patient Summit and the 20th Annual Prix Galien USA & International Awards Ceremony.
"For 20 years, Prix Galien USA has celebrated the scientific breakthroughs that have transformed patients' lives. This anniversary is both a moment to honor that legacy and to look ahead to the next generation of discoveries that will redefine medicine," said Bruno Cohen, Chairman of The Galien Foundation. "Under the theme 'Legacy & Leap,' the 2026 Galien Week of Innovation will bring together scientists, patients, industry leaders and policymakers from around the world, not simply to celebrate innovation, but to help imagine what comes next."
The series of category-focused virtual webinars will take place on October 26, 27, and 28, featuring a selection of the 215 nominated products from 108 companies across 8 categories and 25 therapeutic areas. These sessions will invite nominees to highlight the scientific journey behind the breakthroughs in the running for the 2026 Prix Galien Awards.
The Galien Week of Innovation webinars culminate in the 2026 Galien Forum and Patient Summit at the New York Academy of Medicine, before the Awards Ceremony at the American Museum of Natural History, on Thursday, October 29, in New York City. The Galien Forum allows Nobel Laureates, top policymakers, and leading life science industry executives to connect, learn, and engage with the scientific community. In line with the 20th Anniversary of Prix Galien USA, the Galien Forum will celebrate 20 years of breakthroughs that transformed medicine and set the stage for envisioning the next 20 years of frontiers to be crossed. For the full event lineup and schedule, view the official program guide.
The laureates in the "Best Digital Health Solution," "Best Incubators, Accelerators and Equity," "Best Startup," and "Prix Galien EcoHealth Award" categories will be announced during the Galien Forum. Candidates for "Best Medical Technology" will also be announced during the Forum, with the laureate formally announced later that evening at the Prix Galien Awards Ceremony at the American Museum of Natural History, alongside the laureates in the "Best Biotechnology Product," "Best Pharmaceutical Product," and "Best Product for Rare/Orphan Disease" categories. The Prix Galien USA Awards Committee comprises top biomedical scientists from the private sector and academia, including Nobel Laureates, responsible for evaluating nominees.
On the same day, the 2026 Galien Patient Summit will bring together advocacy groups, healthcare professionals, policymakers, and industry leaders to place patients at the center of healthcare innovation. This year's Summit introduces the new Galien Patient First Award in honor of Michael J. Fox, which recognizes excellence in clinical research, clinical trials, and patient-centered care improvement initiatives that embody the principle "No decision for me without me." The laureates will be announced during the Galien Patient Summit on October 29, 2026, at the New York Academy of Medicine in New York City.
The Galien Week of Innovation will include:
Monday, October 26:
- Best Biotechnology Nominee Webinar: 10AM – 11AM ET
- This virtual webinar will bring together nominees and allow participants to explore and examine the latest innovations in the biotechnology space.
- Best Rare/Orphan Diseases Nominee Webinar #1: 11AM - 12PM ET
- Best Rare/Orphan Diseases Nominee Webinar #2: 12PM - 1PM ET
- Across two virtual webinars, nominees in the category will explore and critically assess the latest innovations in the branded rare and orphan disease space.
- Best Medical Technology Webinar: 1PM - 2PM ET
- Participants will have the opportunity to explore and evaluate nominees' latest innovations in medical technology.
Tuesday, October 27:
- Best Digital Health Solution Nominee Webinar #1: 10AM – 11AM ET
- Best Digital Health Solution Nominee Webinar #2: 11AM – 12PM ET
- Across two virtual webinars, hear about the nominated software apps and platforms, devices and diagnostics, that are designing the future of health and patient care.
- Incubator, Accelerator, and Equity Nominee Webinar: 12PM – 1PM ET
- Hear from the 2026 nominees as they discuss the journey behind their innovative solutions to some of the world's most urgent healthcare challenges.
Wednesday, October 28:
- Best Pharmaceutical Product Nominee Webinar #1: 10AM – 11AM ET
- Best Pharmaceutical Product Nominee Webinar #2: 11AM – 12PM ET
- Across two virtual webinars, participants will engage with nominees, exploring and discussing the latest innovations shaping the pharmaceutical landscape.
Thursday, October 29:
- 7:30AM – 5:15PM ET: The Galien Forum will be held in-person and virtually at the New York Academy of Medicine.
- 7:30AM – 3:00PM ET: The Patient Summit will be held in person in parallel to The Galien Forum at the New York Academy of Medicine.
- 6:00PM - 10:30PM ET: Laureates of the Prix Galien USA Awards will be announced live at the American Museum of Natural History.
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://x.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
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