New Delhi 13 February 2024– The Galien Foundation, a premier global institution since 1970, heralds a rich legacy of recognizing outstanding achievements that improve the global human condition through innovative drugs and other treatments. Created in honour of Galien (129 CE – c. 216), the father of medical science and modern pharmacology, the Prix Galien Award is regarded as the equivalent of the Nobel Prize in biopharmaceutical research. The first edition of this prestigious award is coming to India in partnership with the GM Modi Science Foundation and will be held on March 3rd, 2024, at the Taj Mahal Hotel in New Delhi.
In the previous year in the USA, the awardee for the best biotechnology product was Bristol Myers Squibb’s Camzyos, with Lilly’s Mounjaro and Novo Nordisk’s Ozempic sharing the honour for the best pharmaceutical product. Boehringer Ingelheim’s Spevigo and CSL/uniQure’s Hemgenix won in the rare/orphan disease category.
Speaking about India’s contributions, Professor Manju SHARMA Committee Chair. Former Secretary to the Govt. of India, Department of Biotechnology. Chair New Initiative, NASI, Allahabad, says, “India has emerged as a significant contributor to global health through the development of innovative treatments, vaccines, and medical technologies. This showcases India’s dedication to making meaningful contributions to the well-being of people worldwide.”
The awards will be fundamental in recognizing and promoting excellence, and through recognition, while enhancing and encouraging a cycle of scientific research excellence and innovation, fostering a culture of innovation that values creative thinking, risk-taking, and the development of solutions that address societal challenges and contribute to economic growth, and showcasing India’s scientific excellence and potential on the international stage.
Talking about the collaboration, Satish Kumar Modi, President of GM Modi Science Foundation and Chairman of Modi Global Enterprises, says, “The collaboration between the GM Modi Science Foundation and the Prix Galien India Awards is a testament to scientific and technological excellence. This will cultivate a culture where achievement is both recognized and revered. In this regard, I would like to express my gratitude to Bruno Cohen for selecting India as the location for the Prix Galien. The Award will significantly benefit the Indian life sciences industry and will also be advantageous for Indian doctors.”
“In the realm of honouring achievements, these awards ensure that our commitment to recognizing greatness resonates with clarity and integrity,” says Padma Bhushan Dr. Manju Sharma, Prix Galien India Awards Committee Chair and Former Secretary to the Govt. of India, Department of Biotechnology.