Jay Keasling receives Inaugural Biotech Humanitarian Award.
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Press Release Summary:
Dr. Keasling, CEO of Joint BioEnergy Institute, Professor of Chemical Engineering and Bioengineering, and Deputy Director of Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, was selected for his professional accomplishments to date, as well as for potential that his research holds. Keasling is working on synthetic biology technique that, at commercial scale, will diversify supply of artemisinin, the key component in artemisinin-based combination therapies for treatment of malaria.
Original Press Release:
Jay Keasling Receives Inaugural Biotech Humanitarian Award
BIO Honors Pioneer in Synthetic Biology Transforming Treatment of Malaria, Approach to Biofuels - Panel of judges cites work as potential turning point for therapeutic and industrial applications
Washington, DC and Atlanta, GA (Wednesday, May 20, 2009) - The Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) announced that Jay Keasling, CEO of the Joint BioEnergy Institute, Professor of Chemical Engineering and Bioengineering at the University of California at Berkley and acting Deputy Director of the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, has been selected as the honoree for the first annual Biotech Humanitarian Award.
Dr. Keasling was selected not only for his professional accomplishments to date, but also for the promise and potential that his research holds. Currently, Dr. Keasling is working on a synthetic biology technique that, at commercial scale, will diversify the supply of artemisinin, the key component in artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs), the WHO-recommended first-line treatment for malaria. This breakthrough is expected to reduce the cost of artemisinin and enable millions of people infected with malaria to gain access to lower-cost, life-saving ACTs. The synthetic biology technology behind this breakthrough can also be used to help produce the next generation of biofuels.
"Dr. Keasling embodies the high standard we have set for the Biotech Humanitarian Award. He has led the development of breakthrough science that will greatly help reduce human suffering," said Jim Greenwood, president and CEO of BIO. "Dr. Keasling's work has the potential to save the lives of millions of people in the developing world who suffer from malaria, and also to address the global need for clean, renewable energy. We are thrilled to honor his work and present him as our inaugural Biotech Humanitarian honoree."
Dr. Keasling was presented the Award during a keynote luncheon held at the 2009 BIO International Convention in Atlanta, GA. He was presented with a $10,000 award to help support his work.
Currently, artemisinin is extracted solely from plants and its derivatives manufactured entirely through costly chemical synthesis, both expensive and timely processes. Dr. Keasling applies a synthetic biology technique to dramatically reduce the production time and cost of artemisinin for ACTs.
"It is an honor to receive this recognition as biotech's collective efforts hold a tremendous potential for addressing the world's toughest challenges in new ways," said 2009 Biotech Humanitarian Dr. Jay Keasling. "It took incredible team effort to do the science that resulted in an affordable malaria therapy, and we will continue to work to bring this therapy online, while also pushing the boundaries of biofuels to reduce our need for fossil fuels."
Dr. Keasling was selected the honoree by a distinguished panel of judges who evaluated nominations based on four criteria:
Impact on contemporary society
Impact on future generations
Contribution to the field of biotechnology
Level of innovation exhibited
BIO established the Biotech Humanitarian Award to recognize everyday heroes within the biotechnology community who have helped heal, fuel and feed the planet through their work in biotech.
"Dr. Keasling's work embodies all the principles of a biotech humanitarian and represents a paradigm shifting discovery, focused on fundamentally changing how we treat disease in the developing world. The translational nature of Dr. Keasling's discovery and application holds enormous potential for the medical, industrial and agricultural fields of biotech," said Dr. Joshua Boger, Immediate Past Chairman of BIO's Board of Directors and CEO of Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated. "Dr. Keasling is a true biotech humanitarian as he has chosen to use his career to impact global health and direct the potential of biotech to improve humanity. I thank him for his hard work, and I am honored to present him with the inaugural Biotech Humanitarian Award."
"I would like to thank our impressive panel of judges for their time spent reviewing applications and selecting such a fine recipient for our inaugural Award," added Greenwood.
The judging panel for the 2009 Biotech Humanitarian Award consisted of leaders in science, policy, business and philanthropy:
Dr. David Agus - Professor of Medicine, Director, Center for Applied Molecular
Medicine and Westside Cancer Center, University of Southern California
Dr. Anna Barker - Deputy Director, National Cancer Institute and Deputy Director for Strategic Scientific Initiatives
Dr. Joshua Boger - Founder and CEO, Vertex Pharmaceuticals
Jim Greenwood - President and CEO, BIO
Dr. Jessie Gruman - President, Center for Advancing Health
Phil Hills - Executive Vice President, Lance Armstrong Foundation
Katie Hood - CEO, The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research
Catherine Ivy -Founder and Board President, the Ben and Catherine Ivy Foundation
Dr. Evelyn Lewis - Executive Medical Director, Uniformed Services University Center for Health Disparities Education and Research
James C. Mullen - President and CEO, Biogen Idec
Richard Pops - Chairman, Board of Directors, Alkermes
To stay informed about the Biotech Humanitarian Award visit: iambiotech.org/award
About 2009 BIO International Convention
The world's leading biotechnology industry event, the BIO International Convention, is taking place May 18-21, 2009, at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta. The BIO International Convention is the largest global event for the biotechnology industry and attracts the biggest names in biotech, offers key networking and partnering opportunities, and provides insights and inspiration on the major trends affecting the biotech industry. The annual event draws industry leaders from 48 states and 60 countries.
The BIO International Convention helps to support BIO programs and initiatives. BIO works throughout the year to create a policy environment that enables the industry to continue to fulfill its vision of bettering the world through biotechnology innovation. For more information on the global event for biotechnology, including program and housing information, please visit convention.bio.org.
About BIO
BIO represents more than 1,200 biotechnology companies, academic institutions, state biotechnology centers and related organizations across the United States and in more than 30 other nations. BIO members are involved in the research and development of innovative healthcare, agricultural, industrial and environmental biotechnology products. BIO also produces the BIO International Convention, the world's largest gathering of the biotechnology industry, along with industry-leading investor and partnering meetings held around the world.
