Hungarian scientist Katalin Kariko and her American colleague Drew Weissman, whose unexpected encounter at a photocopier led to groundbreaking discoveries in mRNA molecules, have been honoured with the 2023 Nobel Prize in Medicine. Their pioneering work played a pivotal role in the development of COVID-19 vaccines, marking an extraordinary achievement during a global health crisis.
The Nobel Assembly of Sweden’s esteemed Karolinska Institute medical university, renowned for awarding some of the most prestigious recognitions in the scientific realm, selected the duo for this year’s accolade. The prize, accompanied by 11 million Swedish crowns (equivalent to approximately $1 million), will be shared between Kariko and Weissman.
Katalin Kariko, a former senior vice president and leader of RNA protein replacement at the German biotechnology company BioNTech, currently holds the position of professor at the University of Szeged in Hungary, along with an adjunct professorship at the University of Pennsylvania.
In a post-award interview, Kariko revealed that her mother had harbored hopes of her winning the Nobel Prize for years. To this, she humbly responded that there was a time when securing research grants had proven challenging, emphasizing the dedication of countless scientists worldwide. Kariko stated, “She (my mother) said, ‘but you work so hard.’ And I told her that many, many scientists work very, very hard.”
Drew Weissman, Kariko’s co-laureate, is a professor specializing in vaccine research at the University of Pennsylvania. Reflecting on their achievement, Weissman expressed profound gratitude, highlighting the essential collaboration between them, stating, “It’s an incredible honor. We couldn’t have come to the result without both of us being involved.”
Their collaborative efforts, dating back to 2005, resulted in the development of nucleoside base modifications that effectively prevent the immune system from initiating an inflammatory response against lab-created mRNA. This breakthrough addressed a significant hurdle in utilizing mRNA technology for therapeutic purposes.
In collaboration with Pfizer (PFE.N), BioNTech reported that their mRNA vaccine had reached approximately 1.5 billion people worldwide as of June. This vaccine became the most widely administered shot in Western countries, making an indelible mark in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.
