Johnson and Johnson reveals winner of biomedical research award

Johnson and Johnson has revealed the recipient of its annual Dr Paul Janssen Award for Biomedical Research.

The accolade has been given to Axel Ullrich for his work leading to the discovery of novel cancer and diabetes therapies.

Dr Ullrich’s efforts resulted in the development of drugs such as Herceptin (trastuzumab) – a personalised treatment that was the first to target a specific form of breast cancer.

He also led the development of a recombinant human insulin for treating diabetes, the first medicine to be developed through the process of gene cloning.

Harlan Weisman, chief science and technology officer of medical devices and diagnostics at Johnson and Johnson, said: “The 2009 Award recognises his commitment to advancing translational research, an approach that embodies the spirit of Dr Paul Janssen, who himself pioneered the development of more than 80 different medicines.”

In other Johnson and Johnson news, the company announced jointly with the Cordis Corporation that registration for a new trial designed to investigate the effects of dual anti-platelet therapy is now open.