Honoring Scientific Excellence
The Dr. Paul Janssen Award for Biomedical Research honors scientists who have made a transformational contribution toward the improvement of human health. It was created in 2004 to extend the legacy of Dr. Paul Janssen, an exceptionally gifted and passionate scientist who revolutionized modern medicine and inspired a new generation of researchers.
This prestigious award honors the work of active scientists in academia, industry or scientific institutes. The award promotes, recognizes and rewards passion and creativity in biomedical research while underlying the commitment of the Johnson & Johnson Family of Companies to the advancement of healthcare as well as community responsibility.
Each year, a gold and bronze sculpture along with a $200,000 cash prize is awarded to the most passionate and creative scientist or group of scientists in basic or clinical research, whose achievements have made or have strong potential to make a measurable impact on human health. Multiple winners of the Dr. Paul Janssen Award have gone on to receive a Nobel Prize, further cementing their legacy within the global scientific community.
The Mission of the Dr. Paul Janssen Award
HONOR
the legacy of Dr. Paul, his dedication to solving unmet medical needs and his commitment to nurture scientific excellence.
CELEBRATE
and reward passion and creativity in biomedical research.
DEMONSTRATE
the commitment of Johnson & Johnson to scientific excellence and its impact in advancing human health.
“There is so much more to be done; the patients are waiting.”
Helping the Legacy Live On
Dr. Paul Janssen (1926-2003) was one of the 20th century’s most innovative pharmaceutical researchers, known for revolutionizing modern medicine and inspiring a new generation of researchers. With over 100 patents to his name, his work was responsible for many breakthroughs in several fields of disease, including pain management, psychiatry, infectious disease and gastroenterology.
Despite modest beginnings and considerable skepticism from outsiders, Dr. Paul Janssen’s unshakeable goal was to launch a completely independent research company. In 1953, he established Janssen Pharmaceutical, N.V., a pharmaceutical research laboratory based in Beerse, Belgium. Success came quickly, as the fifth molecule synthesized by Dr. Paul and his associates was found to have therapeutic properties. Many more innovations followed—in fields as diverse as psychiatry, neurology, mycology and parasitology, anesthesia and allergy. Dr. Paul helped save millions of lives through his contribution to the discovery and development of more than 80 medicines, four of which remain on the World Health Organization’s list of essential medicines.
Today, Dr. Paul's legacy lives on through the pioneering work at Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine to find new and better ways to prevent, intercept, treat and cure disease.
Learn more about Dr. Paul Janssen