The 61st Erwin von Bälz Prize
© Nippon Boehringer Ingelheim Co., Ltd.
On November 28, 2024, the 61st Erwin von Bälz Prize was awarded at the German Embassy in Tokyo – a remarkable milestone in over six decades of medical and scientific collaboration between Germany and Japan. Supported by Boehringer Ingelheim, this prestigious award recognizes groundbreaking contributions to the improvement of human health.
Named after Dr. Erwin von Bälz, a German pioneer of modern medicine in Japan, the award symbolizes the deeply rooted partnership between the two countries. This year’s theme, “Genomic Medicine and Medical Care,” highlighted transformative research in the field of personalized treatments.
Congratulations to the awardees:
1st Prize: Professor Tatsushi Toda was honored for his pioneering research on glycosylation disorders, including Fukuyama muscular dystrophy. His work significantly contributes to the understanding and treatment of rare diseases.
2nd Prize: Professor Tatsuhiro Shibata received the award for his research on cancer genomics. His findings promote personalized approaches in cancer therapy and improve treatment outcomes for patients.
This award is not only a recognition of exceptional scientific achievements but also a symbol of the close ties between Germany and Japan in the pursuit of medical progress.
During the award ceremony, Böhringer-Ingelheim also announced that a new element will be added to the prize next year: a scholarship for young researchers.
(Photo by Nippon Boehringer Ingelheim Co., Ltd.)
Published on: January 6, 2025