On Thursday, the renowned Lasker Awards were bestowed upon a group of exceptional scientists for their groundbreaking research that contributed to the emergence of a new class of obesity medications. The awards, which are highly esteemed in the fields of medicine and public health, also recognized infectious disease specialists making strides against HIV and a scientist who unveiled essential mechanisms of the body’s defenses against diseases such as cancer.

Honorees of the Lasker-DeBakey Clinical Medical Research Award

The Lasker-DeBakey Clinical Medical Research Award was particularly noteworthy this year, as it honored the significant contributions of Dr. Joel Habener, Svetlana Mojsov, and Lotte Bjerre Knudsen in their work on GLP-1, a hormone that lays the foundation for transformative drugs like Wegovy and Ozempic. These medications have revolutionized obesity treatment, representing a significant leap forward in managing weight loss.

The Pivotal Roles of the Honorees

Each of the honorees played a pivotal role in the discovery and development of GLP-1: Dr. Habener was instrumental in identifying the hormone; Dr. Mojsov focused on its biologically active form; and Dr. Knudsen demonstrated that this active form could contribute to weight loss.

The Journey of Discovery

In the mid-1970s, Dr. Habener, an endocrinologist at Massachusetts General Hospital, diverged from the mainstream focus on insulin and turned his attention to glucagon, a hormone that raises blood sugar levels. He set out to find glucagon's gene, which led him to an unexpected discovery of a similar protein while studying anglerfish.

Fast forward to 1983, Graeme Bell of Chiron Corporation discovered this new protein in hamsters, coining the term glucagon-like-peptide-1 (GLP-1). Dr. Mojsov, captivated by GLP-1's potential, made remarkable strides in understanding its active form and how it functions within the body. Her research uncovered that GLP-1 is secreted by the intestines and plays a crucial role in stimulating insulin production—significantly improving blood sugar regulation.

Overcoming Limitations

Despite its promise, GLP-1 faced a critical limitation: its fleeting half-life of just three minutes in the body. However, a breakthrough came when Lotte Bjerre Knudsen, a researcher at Novo Nordisk, discovered that by attaching a fatty acid to GLP-1, she could enhance its longevity. This innovation paved the way for groundbreaking medications that could produce significant weight loss, with average results of 15 percent—an achievement once deemed impossible in obesity research.

Future of Obesity Treatment

In recognition of their groundbreaking contributions, the research is expected to see fierce competition among new entrants, further advancing the realm of weight management and obesity treatment.

Lasker-Bloomberg Public Service Award

Additionally, the Lasker-Bloomberg Public Service Award celebrated the work of Quarraisha and Salim Abdool Karim, dedicated South African infectious disease researchers who have been at the forefront of combating Africa's HIV epidemic. Their commitment has not only changed the course of HIV research but also fostered a new generation of African scientists.

Discovery of Critical Enzymes

Lastly, Dr. Chen (James) was recognized for his discovery of an enzyme critical in detecting aberrant DNA, holding promise for future treatments for autoimmune diseases, cancer, and infectious diseases.

As these remarkable scientists are celebrated for their contributions to medicine, it is clear that their work will pave the path for further innovations in treatments crucial for millions worldwide. Stay tuned as the landscape of medical treatments continues to evolve!