The Novozymes Prize is an annual scientific award. The prize aims to recognise outstanding contributions to the advancement of science within the fields of biotechnology and bioinnovation. [1] [2]
The Novozymes Prize is sponsored by the Novo Nordisk Foundation, and acknowledges exceptional European research or technological achievements that contribute to the advancement of innovative and sustainable solutions in biotechnology, benefiting both humanity and the environment. [2] The name originates from the Danish biotechnology company Novozymes, specialising in enzyme production.
The foundation, associated with Novozymes, a global leader in biotechnological solutions and enzyme production, promotes initiatives that drive progress in science and sustainability.
The prize is awarded to individuals or research groups whose work has demonstrated significant impact and innovation in areas such as enzyme technology, industrial biotechnology, and sustainable solutions. Recipients of the Novozymes Prize are selected through a nomination and evaluation process by a committee composed of experts in relevant scientific disciplines. [3]
The Novozymes Prize consists of a monetary award and a commemorative medal. The recipient(s) are invited to deliver a lecture or presentation on their research during a ceremony held in conjunction with the award announcement.
List of recipients of the Novozymes prize over the years: [4]
Year | Recipient |
---|---|
2024 | Jack Pronk [5] |
2023 | Anne Osbourn [6] [7] |
2022 | Mark van Loosdrecht [8] |
2021 | Peer Bork [9] |
2020 | Detlef Weigel [10] |
2019 | Dame Carol Robinson [11] [12] |
2018 | Gunnar Von Heijne [13] |
2017 | Emmanuelle Charpentier [14] |
2017 | Virginijus Siksnys [15] |
2016 | Jens Nielsen |
2015 | Bernard Henrissat |
The Delft University of Technology is the oldest and largest Dutch public technical university, located in Delft, The Netherlands. It specializes in engineering, technology, computing, design, and natural sciences.
Peter G. Schultz is an American chemist, entrepreneur, and nonprofit leader. He is the CEO and President and Professor of Chemistry at Scripps Research, the founder and former director of GNF, and the founding director of the California-Skaggs Institute for Innovative Medicines, established in 2012. In August 2014, Nature Biotechnology ranked Schultz the #1 top translational researcher in 2013. Schultz's contributions to the field of chemistry have included the development and application of methods to expand the genetic code of living organisms, the discovery of catalytic antibodies, and the development and application of molecular diversity technologies to address problems in chemistry, biology, and medicine.
Novo Nordisk A/S is a Danish multinational pharmaceutical company headquartered in Bagsværd with production facilities in nine countries and affiliates or offices in five countries. Novo Nordisk is controlled by majority shareholder Novo Holdings A/S which holds approximately 28% of its shares and a majority (77%) of its voting shares.
Novozymes A/S was a global biotechnology company headquartered in Bagsværd, outside of Copenhagen, Denmark. The company's focus was the research, development and production of industrial enzymes, microorganisms, and biopharmaceutical ingredients. The company merged with Chr. Hansen to form Novonesis in January 2024.
Hans Christian Jacobaeus was a Swedish internist born in Skarhult.
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Steen Riisgaard is the former president and CEO of the Denmark-based biotech company Novozymes, the world’s largest producer of industrial enzymes. He held this position from when Novozymes was founded in a demerger from Novo Nordisk in 2000 until he left the company in 2013 when Peder Holk Nielsen became CEO.
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Novo Holdings A/S is the Novo Nordisk Foundation's wholly owned holding company for Novo Nordisk A/S and Novozymes A/S. Novo Holdings A/S was established in 1999 and manages the Novo Nordisk Foundation's assets, which in 2023 was worth almost DKK 1,114 billion Danish Kroner. The company generated a total income and investment return of DKK 31 billion in 2023.
Mark van Loosdrecht is a Dutch professor in environmental biotechnology at Delft University of Technology. He was the creator of Nereda, a wastewater treatment technology developed by a cooperation between the Delft University of Technology, the Dutch Foundation for Applied Water Research (STOWA) and Royal HaskoningDHV.
The Novo Nordisk Foundation (NNF) is an international enterprise foundation focusing on medical treatment and research.
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