Lasker Award for Lasker–DeBakey Clinical Medical Research Award: Winners by Year

Award years

• 2025

  • Jesús (Tito) González, Michael J. Welsh, Paul Negulescu

    For their key roles in developing a novel treatment for cystic fibrosis—a triple-drug combination that saves the lives of people with this lethal genetic disease

• 2024

  • Joel Habener, Lotte Bjerre Knudsen, Svetlana Mojsov

    For the discovery and development of GLP-1-based drugs that have revolutionized the treatment of obesity

• 2023

  • David Huang, Eric A. Swanson, James G. Fujimoto

    For the invention of optical coherence tomography, a technology that revolutionized ophthalmology—allowing rapid detection of diseases of the retina that impair vision

• 2022

  • Yuk Ming Dennis Lo

    For the discovery of fetal DNA in maternal blood, leading to noninvasive prenatal testing for Down syndrome

• 2021

  • Drew Weissman, Katalin Karikó

    For the discovery of a new therapeutic technology based on the modification of messenger RNA—enabling rapid development of highly effective Covid-19 vaccines

• 2019

  • Axel Ullrich, Dennis J. Slamon, H. Michael Shepard

    For their invention of Herceptin, the first monoclonal antibody that blocks a cancer-causing protein, and for its development as a life-saving therapy for women with breast cancer

• 2018

  • John B. Glen

    For the discovery and development of propofol, a chemical whose rapid action and freedom from residual effects have made it the most widely used agent for induction of anesthesia in patients throughout the world.

• 2017

  • Douglas R. Lowy, John T. Schiller

    For technological advances that enabled development of HPV vaccines for prevention of cervical cancer and other tumors caused by human papillomaviruses

• 2016

  • Charles M. Rice, Michael J. Sofia, Ralf F. W. Bartenschlager

    For development of a system to study the replication of the virus that causes hepatitis C and for use of this system to revolutionize the treatment of this chronic, often lethal disease.

• 2015

  • James P. Allison

    For the discovery and development of a monoclonal antibody therapy that unleashes the immune system to combat cancer.

• 2014

  • Alim-Louis Benabid, Mahlon DeLong

    For the development of deep brain stimulation of the subthalamic nucleus, a surgical technique that reduces tremors and restores motor function in patients with advanced Parkinson’s disease.

• 2013

  • Blake S. Wilson, Graeme Milbourne Clark, Ingeborg Hochmair

    For the development of the modern cochlear implant — a device that bestows hearing to individuals with profound deafness.

• 2012

  • Roy Calne, Thomas E. Starzl

    For the development of liver transplantation, which has restored normal life to thousands of patients with end-stage liver disease.

• 2011

  • Tu Youyou

    For the discovery of artemisinin, a drug therapy for malaria that has saved millions of lives across the globe, especially in the developing world.

• 2010

  • Napoleone Ferrara

    For the discovery of VEGF as a major mediator of angiogenesis and the development of an effective anti-VEGF therapy for wet macular degeneration, a leading cause of blindness in the elderly.

• 2009

  • Brian Druker, Charles Sawyers, Nicholas Lydon

    For the development of molecularly-targeted treatments for chronic myeloid leukemia, converting a fatal cancer into a manageable chronic condition.

• 2008

  • Akira Endo

    For the discovery of the statins — drugs with remarkable LDL-cholesterol-lowering properties that have revolutionized the prevention and treatment of coronary heart disease.

• 2007

  • Alain Carpentier, Albert Starr

    For the development of prosthetic mitral and aortic valves, which have prolonged and enhanced the lives of millions of people with heart disease.

• 2006

  • Aaron T. Beck

    For the development of cognitive therapy, which has transformed the understanding and treatment of many psychiatric conditions, including depression, suicidal behavior, generalized anxiety, panic attacks, and eating disorders.

• 2005

  • Alec Jeffreys, Edwin Southern

    For development of two powerful technologies— Southern hybridization and DNA finger-printing — that together revolutionized human genetics and forensic diagnostics.

• 2004

  • Charles Kelman

    For revolutionizing the surgical removal of cataracts, turning a 10-day hospital stay with high morbidity into an outpatient procedure with minimal complications.

• 2003

  • Marc Feldmann, Ravinder Maini

    For the discovery of anti-TNF therapy as an effective treatment for rheumatoid arthritis and other autoimmune diseases.

• 2002

  • Belding H. Scribner, Willem J. Kolff

    For the development of renal hemodialysis, which changed kidney failure from a fatal to a treatable disease, prolonging the useful lives of millions of patients.

• 2001

  • Robert G. Edwards

    For the development of in vitro fertilization, a technological advance that has revolutionized the treatment of human infertility.

• 2000

  • Harvey J. Alter, Michael Houghton

    For the discovery of the virus that causes hepatitis C and the development of screening methods that reduced the risk of blood transfusion-associated hepatitis in the U.S. from 30% in 1970 to virtually zero in 2000.

• 1999

  • David W. Cushman, Miguel Ondetti

    For developing an innovative approach to drug design based on protein structure and using it to create the ACE inhibitors, powerful oral agents for the treatment of high blood pressure, heart failure, and diabetic kidney disease.

• 1998

  • Alfred G. Knudson, Janet Rowley, Peter C. Nowell

    For incisive studies in patient-oriented research that paved the way for identifying genetic alterations that cause cancer in humans and that allow for cancer diagnosis in patients at the molecular level.

• 1997

  • Alfred Sommer

    For the understanding and demonstration that low-dose vitamin A supplementation in millions of third world children can prevent death from infectious diseases as well as blindness.

• 1996

  • David H. Smith, John B. Robbins, Porter Warren Anderson, Jr., Rachel Schneerson

    For the development of the Hemophilus influenza type b vaccine, a polysaccharide-conjugate vaccine that has all but eliminated childhood meningitis.

• 1995

  • Barry J. Marshall

    For the discovery that Helicobacter pylori causes peptic ulcer disease.

• 1994

  • John Allen Clements

    For defining the role of pulmonary surfactant and developing a life-saving artificial surfactant used in premature infants around the world.

• 1993

  • Donald Metcalf

    For the discovery of the colony-stimulating factors, two of which are widely used to treat patients with cancer and diseases of blood cell formation.

• 1991

  • Yuet Wai Kan

    For pioneering the use of recombinant DNA technology for diagnosing human genetic diseases, including the hemoglobinopathies.

• 1989

  • Étienne-Émile Baulieu

    For developing RU486, the first safe and effective contragestive medication.

• 1988

  • Vincent P. Dole

    For postulating the physiological basis of narcotic addiction and for developing methadone treatment for heroin addiction.

• 1987

  • Mogens Schou

    For landmark clinical trials of lithium as therapy and prophylaxis for manic depressive illness, initiating a revolution in the treatment of mental disease.

• 1986

  • Luc Montagnier, Myron Essex, Robert C. Gallo

    For contributions concerning the impact of retroviral infection on the human immune system.

• 1985

  • Bernard Fisher

    For shaping the character of modern breast cancer treatment, thus lengthening and enriching the lives of women suffering from this disease.

• 1984

  • Paul C. Lauterbur

    For theoretical and technical contributions that made possible a new form of medical imaging, based on nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR).

• 1983

  • F. Mason Sones

    For combining the techniques of cardiac catheterization and coronary artery cinematography, thus inaugurating the modern era of diagnosis and treatment of coronary artery disease.

• 1982

  • Elizabeth F. Neufeld, Roscoe O. Brady

    For pioneering contributions to the understanding of hereditary diseases, the development of effective genetic counseling procedures, and initiation of possible treatment by replacement of missing enzymes.

• 1981

  • Louis Sokoloff

    For developing a noninvasive glucose analogue-based method for mapping brain function, paving the way for the development of PET scanning.

• 1980

  • Cyril A. Clarke, John G. Gorman, Ronald Finn, Vincent Freda, William Pollack

    For illuminating the genetics of RH factor, and for directing essential research into hemolytic disease of the newborn.

• 1978

  • Emil C. Gotschlich, Michael Heidelberger, Robert Austrian

    For the development of a polysaccharide vaccine against pneumococcal diseases.

• 1977

  • C. Hellmuth Hertz, Inge Edler

    For pioneering the development of ultrasound technology in medicine.

• 1976

  • James W. Black, Raymond P. Ahlquist

    For advancing the concept of alpha and beta adrenergic receptors, which opened the door to the development of propranolol.

• 1975

  • Godfrey N. Hounsfield, William Oldendorf

    For discoveries that led to a revolution in diagnostic radiology, enabling scanning by computer-assisted tomography (CAT).

• 1974

  • John Charnley

    For conceptual and technical contributions to total hip joint replacement, which opened new horizons of research and treatment in arthritis and crippling joint diseases.

• 1973

  • Paul M. Zoll, William B. Kouwenhoven

    For the development of open and closed chest defibrillators, and for originating the technique of external cardiac massage.

• 1972

  • C. Gordon Zubrod, Denis Parsons Burkitt, Donald Pinkel, Edmund Klein, Emil Frei III, Emil J. Freireich, Eugene J. Van Scott, Isaac Djerassi, James F. Holland, John L. Ziegler, Joseph H. Burchenal, Min Chiu Li, Paul P. Carbone, Roy Hertz, V. Anomah Ngu, Vincent T. DeVita, Jr.

    For contributions to the successful chemotherapeutic treatment of gestational choriocarcinoma.

• 1971

  • Edward D. Freis

    For the demonstration of the life-saving effectiveness of drugs in the treatment of moderate hypertension.

• 1970

  • Robert A. Good

    For pioneering contributions to the pathogenesis and treatment of severe immunodeficiency diseases, including the first successful allogeneic bone marrow transplants.

• 1969

  • George C. Cotzias

    For the demonstration of the effectiveness of L-DOPA in the treatment of Parkinson’s disease.

• 1968

  • John Heysham Gibbon

    For designing and developing the heart-lung machine.

• 1967

  • Robert Allan Phillips

    For original contributions toward the conquest of cholera.

• 1966

  • Sidney Farber

    For original use of aminopterin and methotrexate in the control of acute childhood leukemia, and for his constant leadership in the search for chemical agents against cancer.

• 1965

  • Albert B. Sabin

    For the development of a live, oral polio-virus vaccine.

• 1964

  • Nathan S. Kline

    For the introduction and use of iproniazid in the treatment of severe depressions.

• 1963

  • Charles Brenton Huggins

    For discoveries concerning the role of the endocrine system in the pathogenesis and treatment of certain cancers, such as cancer of the prostate.

  • Michael E. DeBakey

    For his brilliant leadership and professional accomplishments, which were responsible in a large measure for inaugurating a new era in cardiovascular surgery.

• 1962

  • Joseph E. Smadel

    For contributions to the understanding, diagnosis, and treatment of rickettsial diseases, including the demonstration of chloramphenicol as a cure for typhoid fever and scrub typhus.

• 1960

  • Edgar V. Allen, Irving S. Wright, Karl Paul Link

    For pioneering the development and use of anticoagulant drugs.

• 1959

  • Gilbert Dalldorf

    For his demonstration of the ability of one virus to modify the course of infection by another and for his discovery of Coxsackie virus.

  • John Holmes Dingle

    For outstanding studies which have added significantly to our knowledge and ability to control acute respiratory diseases.

  • Robert Edward Gross

    For distinguished achievement: performing the first successful operation on an inborn cardiovascular defect.

• 1958

  • Robert W. Wilkins

    For contributions concerning the causes, diagnosis and treatment of hypertension.

• 1957

  • Heinz E. Lehmann, Henri Laborit, Nathan S. Kline, Pierre Deniker, Robert H. Noce

    For studies of the use of reserpine in the treatment of certain mental illnesses.

  • Richard E. Shope

    For original contributions to understanding infectious diseases in animals and man and the discovery of new microbiological principles.

• 1956

  • Arnall Patz, V. Everett Kinsey

    For discovering that excessive oxygen administration is the cause of retinopathy of prematurity in premature babies.

  • Jonas E. Salk

    For developing a safe and effective injectable vaccine against poliomyelitis

  • Louis N. Katz

    For contributions to cardiovascular research and his advancement of the concept that experimental atherosclerosis is basically a metabolic disease that is preventable and reversible.

• 1955

  • C. Walton Lillehei, Herbert E. Warden, Morley Cohen, Richard L. Varco

    For advances in open-heart surgery making possible more direct and safer approaches to the heart.

  • Carl Muschenheim, Edward H. Robitzek, Irving Selikoff, Walsh McDermott

    For establishing the efficacy of isoniazid drugs in the treatment of tuberculosis.

• 1954

  • Alfred Blalock, Helen B. Taussig, Robert E. Gross

    For distinguished contributions to surgery, especially in newborn children with congenital heart defects.

• 1953

  • Paul Dudley White

    For distinguished achievement in the pathology, diagnosis and treatment of heart diseases, rheumatic and coronary.

• 1952

  • Conrad A. Elvehjem

    For the isolation of niacin, the anti-pellagra vitamin, and for other distinguished contributions to nutrition research.

  • Frederick Sumner McKay, H. Trendley Dean

    For leadership in the development of community wide fluoridation programs.

• 1951

  • Catharine Macfarlane, Élise L'Esperance

    For developing cancer detection clinics for detection of early cancer or precancerous lesions in presumably healthy people.

  • Frederic A. Gibbs, William G. Lennox

    For research in epilepsy.

• 1950

  • Georgios Papanikolaou

    For outstanding contributions to the early diagnosis of cancer of the cervix through cytological methods (the Pap smear).

• 1949

  • Edward Calvin Kendall, Philip Showalter Hench

    For studies of adrenal hormones, culminating in the first use of cortisone in severe rheumatoid arthritis and other severe inflammatory disorders.

  • Max Theiler

    For the development of two effective vaccines against yellow fever.

• 1947

  • Thomas Francis Jr.

    For contributions to our knowledge of influenza, and the development of a vaccine effective against Types A and B, successfully used during World War II.

• 1946

  • Alexander S. Wiener, Karl Landsteiner, Philip Levine

    For the discovery of the RH factor as a cause of hemolytic disease of the newborn and of severe hemolysis arising from incompatible blood transfusions.

  • John Friend Mahoney

    For pioneering the treatment of syphilis with penicillin.