Nobel Prize in medication goes to Drew Weissman of U.S., Hungarian Katalin Karikó for enabling COVID-19 vaccines

Stockholm — The Nobel Prize in medication has been awarded to Hungarian Katalin Karikó and Drew Weissman of the U.S. for discoveries that enabled the event of efficient mRNA vaccines towards COVID-19. Thomas Perlmann, secretary of the Nobel Meeting, introduced the award Monday in Stockholm.

“Via their groundbreaking findings, which have essentially modified our understanding of how mRNA interacts with our immune system, the laureates contributed to the unprecedented fee of vaccine improvement throughout one of many best threats to human well being in trendy instances,” the panel that awarded the prize stated.

Thomas Perlmann, secretary of the Nobel Meeting, introduced the prize and stated each scientists had been “overwhelmed” by information of the prize when he contacted them shortly earlier than the announcement.

The Nobel Prizes carry a money award of 11 million Swedish kronor ($1 million). The cash comes from a bequest left by the prize’s creator, Swedish inventor Alfred Nobel, who died in 1896. The prize cash was raised by 1 million kronor this yr due to the plunging worth of the Swedish foreign money.

The laureates are invited to obtain their awards at ceremonies on December 10, the anniversary of Nobel’s demise. The distinguished peace prize is handed out in Oslo, in accordance with his needs, whereas the opposite award ceremony is held in Stockholm.