Honoring Breakthroughs that Change the Trajectory of Human Health
In the art of origami, the act of folding transforms one-dimensional sheets of paper into three-dimensional sculptures. There are parallels in science, such as when the human body folds proteins that are critical for the body to function and maintain good health.
While scientists knew these protein transformations took place, no one understood the molecular mechanism until Franz-Ulrich Hartl, M.D. of the Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry and Arthur Horwich, M.D., of Yale School of Medicine and Howard Hughes Medical Institute discovered a new class of chaperone proteins that assist in this process. Their pioneering research advanced our understanding of aging and conditions that occur due to folding defects, such as Alzheimer’s disease, cystic fibrosis, and Parkinson’s disease. These achievements earned Drs. Hartl and Horwich the 2019 Dr. Paul Janssen Award for Biomedical Research, which recognizes transformational innovation that has the potential to make a significant impact on human health.
Last week, in ceremonies in Beerse, Belgium and New York City, we celebrated the breakthroughs and decades-long collaboration of Drs. Hartl and Horwich, and honored the legacy of Dr. Paul Janssen – the namesake of the award – whose innovative spirit and commitment to patients continues to inspire us at Johnson & Johnson to this day.
Johnson & Johnson created the Award in 2004 to honor Dr. Paul, who was not only one of the most visionary pharmaceutical researchers of the 20th century, but also laid the groundwork for many of today’s successes for Johnson & Johnson. He sparked the beginnings of an innovative industry that today represents the essential link between basic discoveries and the translation of those discoveries into solutions for everyone, everywhere. The Dr. Paul Janssen Award is one of the many ways in which Johnson & Johnson works to celebrate, inspire and enlist more champions of science.
The life-long work of passionate and dedicated scientists, like Drs. Hartl and Horwich, helps us understand the world around us and brings hope for solving complex medical challenges that impact people’s lives. We are proud to honor the legacy of Dr. Paul Janssen by celebrating today's research pioneers like Drs. Hartl and Horwich.