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2022 Breakthrough Prize in Life Sciences awarded to mRNA pioneers Drew Weissman and Katalin Karikó
Drew Weissman and Katalin Karikó standing side by side.

Twenty-five years ago, Drew Weissman and Katalin Karikó struck up their first conversations at Penn by a copy machine, where both were printing journal articles. That chance encounter laid the foundation for a revolution in mRNA technology, innovations that are now being leveraged to confront a host of biomedical challenges. (Image: Peggy Peterson)

2022 Breakthrough Prize in Life Sciences awarded to mRNA pioneers Drew Weissman and Katalin Karikó

Weissman and Karikó are honored for engineering modified RNA technology which enabled rapid development of effective COVID-19 vaccines.

Alex Gardner

Penn scientists win $3 million Breakthrough Prize for RNA research that enabled COVID-19 vaccines

Penn scientists win $3 million Breakthrough Prize for RNA research that enabled COVID-19 vaccines

Katalin Karikó and Drew Weissman of the Perelman School of Medicine have been awarded a $3 million Breakthrough Prize for research that paved the way for COVID-19 vaccines. “It’s been very wonderful,” said Weissman. “I never thought it was possible.”

State vaccine incentives do little to boost vaccination rates, research shows

State vaccine incentives do little to boost vaccination rates, research shows

Research from Penn’s Center for Health Incentives and Behavioral Economics found that incentives like cash lotteries and scholarships don’t boost vaccination rates. “We did not see more people coming into get vaccinated in the immediate aftermath of the introduction of these statewide incentives," said Harsha Thirumurthy of the Perelman School of Medicine.

Penn mRNA researchers Drew Weissman and Katalin Karikó awarded the 2021 Albany Prize
Drew Weissman and Katalin Karikó.

Drew Weissman, the Roberts Family Professor of Vaccine Research, and Katalin Karikó, an adjunct professor of Neurosurgery at the Perelman School of Medicine and a senior vice president at BioNTech. (Image: Penn Medicine News)

Penn mRNA researchers Drew Weissman and Katalin Karikó awarded the 2021 Albany Prize

For their landmark research that set a foundation for the mRNA SARS-CoV-2 vaccines, Drew Weissman and Katalin Karikó have been selected to receive the prize after decades of work.

From Penn Medicine News

COVID-19 mRNA vaccine that uses fundamental Penn technology receives FDA approval
Katalin Karikó and Drew Weissman look at a computer monitor wearing face masks.

Katalin Karikó, an adjunct professor of Neurosurgery at Penn and a senior vice president at BioNTech, and Drew Weissman, the Roberts Family Professor in Vaccine Research. (Image: Penn Medicine News)

COVID-19 mRNA vaccine that uses fundamental Penn technology receives FDA approval

Pfizer/BioNTech’s vaccine to prevent COVID-19 uses fundamental modified mRNA technology created by Drew Weissman and Katalin Karikó at the Perelman School of Medicine.

From Penn Medicine News