The Foundation for the National Institutes of Health (FNIH) will award the inaugural Montrone-Seigel Prize in Biomedical Sciences to molecular biologist David Liu, PhD. He and his team have developed innovative gene editing technologies that are being used worldwide to study and treat genetic diseases, including in at least 23 clinical trials targeting cancer, blood diseases, metabolic disorders and other conditions.
Health Technology Insights: Cure Launches Health Accelerator to Support MENA Startups
“Dr. Liu’s exceptional, innovative work in gene editing technologies has the potential to transform lives. This award is an opportunity to recognize his contributions to scientific discoveries and support further biomedical breakthroughs.” — Fred Seigel
“We are delighted with the selection of this year’s award winner,” said Fred Seigel, who established this award with fellow FNIH Board of Directors member Paul Montrone, PhD. “Dr. Liu’s exceptional, innovative work in gene editing technologies has the potential to transform lives. This award is an opportunity to recognize his contributions to scientific discoveries and support further biomedical breakthroughs.”
Dr. Liu and his lab developed new technologies — base editing and prime editing — that can precisely and safely correct disease-causing DNA mutations in cells, animals and patients. These tools have already shown promise for treating inherited blood disorders such as sickle-cell disease, certain forms of leukemia, an inherited form of high cholesterol and a serious liver and lung disease affecting 100,000 people in the United States alone. The team has pioneered methods to accelerate the discovery of new drugs and proteins, including techniques that use DNA to generate vast libraries of drug-like molecules. They also have developed technologies to rapidly and continuously evolve proteins with new functions, including those used in state-of-the-art base editors and prime editors.
Health Technology Insights: States of Mind Launches to Expand Access to Mental Health Care
“I’m deeply honored by this recognition of the tireless efforts and remarkable talents of the students, postdocs and collaborators who have contributed to our work,” Dr. Liu said. “I’m especially grateful to Paul Montrone and Fred Seigel for establishing this award, which I hope will serve as a reminder of the impact of biomedical research at a critical time in our country when science has never offered so much promise to save and improve lives.”
Dr. Liu is the Richard Merkin Professor and Director of the Merkin Institute for Transformative Technologies in Healthcare, Vice Chair of the Faculty at the Broad Institute, the Thomas Dudley Cabot Professor of the Natural Sciences at Harvard University and a Howard Hughes Medical Institute Investigator.
The Montrone-Seigel Prize includes a $100,000 honorarium and recognizes outstanding scientists whose basic, clinical or translational research programs promise to achieve breakthroughs that advance human health and well-being.
The FNIH is grateful for the work of the jury of distinguished biomedical research leaders who selected Dr. Liu as the 2025 Montrone-Seigel Prize recipient. The jury is co-chaired by Carl Nathan, MD, R.A. Rees Pritchett Professor, Chairman, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Weill Cornell Medical College; and Cynthia Wolberger, PhD, Professor and Director, Department of Biophysics and Biophysical Chemistry, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.
Dr. Liu will receive the award at the 13th Annual FNIH Awards Ceremony on Oct. 22, 2025, in Washington, D.C. The 2025 Paul-Gallin Trailblazer Prize for Physician-Scientists; the Charles A. Sanders, MD, Partnership Award; and the Kovler Prize for Trust in Life Science Journalism also will be presented during the ceremony.
The FNIH gratefully acknowledges its Annual Awards Ceremony Premier Sponsors, Fred and Donna Seigel and Perry Steiner and Vanessa Kay, and our Visionary Sponsors, Gerberding-Rose Family Fund; Nina Kjellson and Sandy Zweifach; Judy and Peter Blum Kovler Foundation; Paul and Sandra Montrone; Steven and Jann Paul, MD; Pfizer, Inc. and Weiss Family Trust.
Health Technology Insights: LabWare Launches Clinical Health Solution 5.06
To participate in our interviews, please write to our HealthTech Media Room at sudipto@intentamplify.com
Source – businesswire
