$1 million EMET Prize awarded to 11 laureates
Eleven notable Israelis received the EMET Prize on Monday night from MK and Social Equality Minister Gila Gamliel at a gala ceremony in Jerusalem. Known as the “Israeli Nobel Prize,” the $1 million prize was awarded this year for outstanding achievements and achievements that have a far-reaching influence and make a special contribution to society.
Three of this year’s awardees are on the verge of a global breakthrough that will find a cure for three deadly and incurable illnesses – Alzheimer’s disease, cancer and dementia. Over the next several months, human clinical trials will begin using two of the drugs, the development of which was based on the research of these award-winning Israeli scientists.
The research of Hebrew University Prof. Yinon Ben-Neria has resulted in the development of a biological drug for leukemia. Next month human clinical trials will begin at the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York.
Prof. Yair Reisner of the Weizmann Institute made a breakthrough in the treatment of leukemia patients and developed strategies for overcoming the body’s resistance to bone marrow transplantation. Clinical trials for his treatment have been conducted at Sloan Kettering as well.
Prof. Michal Schwartz has made remarkable discoveries in the field of Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. A decadeslong study found that the brain is linked to the immune system and that the fight against such brain disorders needs to go through the immune system rather than directly to the brain. In eight months, a clinical trial of drugs based on Schwartz’s research will begin.
Arie Dobson, CEO of the A.M.N. Foundation, which sponsors the award, said: “The purpose of the EMET Prize is to recognize those who have chosen excellence as a way of life, and the realization of human potential as essential to creating a better world for future generations.”
This article was written in cooperation with the EMET Prize.