The Awards
AstraZeneca annual scientific awards
Every year, since 2012, the Fund for Scientific Research (F.R.S.–FNRS) and the Research Foundation - Flanders (FWO) are in charge of the AstraZeneca Scientific Prizes designated for researchers in the intermediate stage of their career.
Three laureates are awarded with a € 25.000 euros prize (€ 12.500 euros are allocated to the laureate, € 12.500 euros to their laboratory) in recognition of innovative scientific research.
The Fund for Scientific Research (F.R.S.–FNRS) and the Research Foundation - Flanders (FWO) are in charge of collecting the applications and selecting both Belgian and international experts to designate the three laureates.
Topics are renewed for each edition. Prof. Jean-Luc Balligand, Chairman of the Governing Board of the AstraZeneca Foundation, explains: That’s the beauty of having knowledgeable academics in the board of the foundation. They come from different scientific and medical areas so, with their specific backgrounds and know where the cutting-edge advances in science are being developed. We freely exchange during the board meetings on potential topics and each year, we come with eight to ten potential proposals. This is submitted to a vote (remote email system) where each member of the board establishes his top three topics. Combining all this, we come with a consensus on three major areas for which we call for proposals.
The Laureates
2025
Three Scientific Prizes are awarded for contributions in the following categories: Novel approaches of early detection and prevention of non-communicable diseases, Innovative applications of AI to the benefit of patients’ health and Harnessing stem cell models and organoids for disease discovery and therapeutics.
Each laureate was awarded a sum of € 25,000 euros to continue their innovative research. The 2025 laureates of these Scientific Awards are respectively:
- Prof. Dr. Robin Vos (KU Leuven)
- Prof. Sarah Verhulst (UGent)
- Dr. Robert Prior (VIB- KU Leuven)
To discover their research, please watch the video filmed in their offices and labs.
2024
Three Scientific Prizes are awarded for contributions in the following categories: Personalized medicine in cardiovascular diseases, New multidisciplinary approaches to tackle the obesity pandemic, and New advances in diagnosis/treatment of monogenic rare diseases.
Each laureate was awarded a sum of € 25,000 euros to continue their innovative research. The 2024 laureates of these Scientific Awards are respectively:
- Prof. Nele Vandersickel (UGent)
- Prof. Nicolas Lanthier (UCLouvain)
- Prof. Bert Callewaert (UGent)
To discover their research, please watch the video filmed in their offices and labs.
2023
Three Scientific Prizes are awarded for contributions in the following categories: New developments in the pathophysiology and treatment of auto-immune diseases, New advancements in physical, mental and social health at work, and New developments in healthy aging: from physiological to psychological and ethical aspects.
Each laureate was awarded a sum of € 25,000 euros to continue their innovative research. The 2023 laureates of these Scientific Awards are respectively:
- Prof. Johann Morelle (UCLouvain),
- Prof. Professor Els Clays (UGent), and
- Prof. Professor Charlotte Beaudart (UNamur).
To discover their research, please watch the video filmed in their offices and labs.
Prof. Johann Morelle (UCLouvain)
New developments in the pathophysiology and treatment of auto-immune disease
2022
Three Scientific Prizes are awarded for contributions in the following categories: Disruptive approaches exploiting cellular genetic defects in cancer, Innovative approaches to promote prevention in public health and clinical care, and Psychosocial vulnerability during the pandemic.
Each laureate was awarded a sum of € 25,000 euros to continue their innovative research. The 2022 laureates of these Scientific Awards are respectively
- Prof. Kim De Keersmaecker (KU Leuven),
- Prof. Audrey Vanhaudenhuyse (GIGA-CHU Liège), and
- Prof. Sarah Van de Velde (UAntwerpen).
To discover their research, please watch the video filmed in their offices and labs.
Prof. Kim De Keersmaecker (KU Leuven)
2022 Scientific Prize for Disruptive approaches exploiting cellular genetic defects in cancer.
Prof. Audrey Vanhaudenhuyse (GIGA-CHU Liège)
2022 Scientific Prize for Innovative approaches to promote prevention in public health and clinical care.
Prof. Sarah Van de Velde (UAntwerpen)
2021 Scientific Prize for the Study of Psychosocial vulnerability during the pandemic
2021
Three Scientific Prizes were awarded for contributions in the following categories: Heterogeneity of immune defenses to infections, New strategies in regenerative medicine and Gene editing as a therapeutic approach. Each laureate was awarded a sum of € 25,000 euros to continue their innovative research. The 2021 laureates of these Scientific Awards are respectively
- Prof. Kris Laukens (Adrem Data Lab- UAntwerpen),
- Prof. Liesbet Geris (ULiège), and
- Prof. Esteban Guzov (ULB).
To discover their research, please watch the video filmed in their offices and labs.
Prof. Kris Laukens, Adrem Data Lab- UAntwerpen
2021 Scientific Prize for Heterogeneity of immune defenses to infections
2020
Four Scientific Prizes were awarded for contributions in the domains of Antiviral Therapies, Environment and Climate Change, and Patient Care in the artificial intelligence (AI) Era. Each category was awarded a sum of € 25,000 euros to continue this innovative research. The 2020 laureates of these Scientific Awards were respectively
- Joana Rocha-Pereira (Rega Institute- KU Leuven),
- Tim Nawrot (Centre for Environmental Sciences- UHasselt),
- Athena Demertzi (GIGA Consciousness Research Unit- ULiège), and
- Yvan Saeys (Center for Inflammation Research- VIB-Ugent).
To discover their research, please watch the video filmed in their offices and labs.
Joana Rocha-Pereira, Rega Institute- KU Leuven
2020 Scientific Prize for New Discoveries in Antiviral Therapy
2019
Four Scientific Prizes were awarded for contributions in the domains of Oncology, Rare Diseases, Respiratory/Cardiometabolic and Infant mental health. The 2019 laureates of these Scientific Awards were respectively
- Prof. Dr. Dmitri Krysko (UGent),
- Dr. Olivia Gosseries (GIGA Consciousness Research Unit- ULiège),
- Dr. Florence Schleich (ULiège), and
- Dr. Saskia Van der Oord (KU Leuven).
To discover their research, please watch the video filmed in their offices and labs.
2018
Four Scientific Prizes were awarded for contributions in the domains of Primary care & Family Medicine, Oncology, Mental Disorders, and Respiratory Diseases. The 2018 laureates of these Scientific Awards are respectively
- Prof. Pauline Boeckxstaens,
- Prof. Piet Ost,
- Prof. Filip Raes, and
- Prof. Thomas Marichal.
Dr. Pauline Boeckxstaens UGent
Primary Care & Family Medicine Award – € 25 000 euros
Prof. dr. Piet Ost UGent
Oncology Award – € 25 000 euros
Prof. dr. Filip Raes KU Leuven
Mental Disorders Award – € 25 000 euros
Dr. Thomas Marichal ULiège
Respiratory Diseases Award – € 25 000 euros
2017
Three Scientific Prizes were awarded for contributions in the domains of Epigenetics, Healthy Ageing and Immunotherapy. The 2017 laureates of these Scientific Awards are respectively
- Prof. Pieter Van Vlierberghe (U Gent),
- Prof. Anne Spinewine (UCLouvain), and
- Prof. Evelien Smits (U Antwerpen).
Prof. Pieter Van Vlierberghe received the Epigenetics Award for his research on new leukemia therapies. Prof. Anne Spinewine was awarded the Healthy Ageing Award for her research on innovative methods of prescribing drugs for the elderly. Finally, the Immunotherapy Award was allocated to Prof. Evelien Smits for her research on new treatments through immunotherapy.
2016
Three scientific prizes have been awarded in three different disciplines: bioinformatics, oncology and cardiovascular/metabolic disorders. This year's laureates are
- Prof Stein Aerts (KU Leuven/ VIB),
- Prof Pierre Sonveaux (UCLouvain), and
- Prof Anne-Catherine Pouleur (UCLouvain).
Prof. dr. Aerts received the Scientific Prize for his research on the understanding of complex DNA codes, which will contribute in the future to block the development of cancer, Prof. dr. Sonveaux received the Scientific Prize for his research on the prevention of cancer metastases, and Prof. dr. Pouleur received the Scientific Prize for her research on heart failure.
2015
Three Scientific Prizes were awarded for contributions in the domains of Bioinformatics, Oncology and Respiratory Diseases. Each laureate received a sum of € 25.000 euros to continue his innovative research. The three laureates are respectively
- Prof. dr. Moreau (KU Leuven),
- Prof dr. Janssens (KU Leuven), and
- Prof. dr. Mazzone (VIB/KULeuven).
Prof. dr. Moreau received one of the first Bioinformatics Award ever granted in Belgium for his research on data fusion in rare diseases and drug discovery. Prof. dr. Janssens was awarded the Respiratory Diseases Award for his findings on the important role Vitamin D can play in the battle against COPD. Finally, the Oncology Award was allocated to Prof. dr. Mazzone for his research on the optimization of cancer treatment.
2014
Four Scientific Prizes were awarded for contributions in the fields of Cardiovascular/MetabolicDiseases, Oncology, Autoimmune diseases/Rheumatology and Neurosciences/Psychiatry. The four laureates are respectively
- Prof. Dr. Aernout Luttun (KULeuven),
- Prof. Dr. Hans Wildiers (KULeuven),
- Prof. Dr. Mohamed Lamkanfi (VIB/Ghent University), and
- Prof. Dr. Laurent Nguyen (ULG).
2013
Four scientific awards were presented, in particular for contributions in the fields of cardiovascular disease, infectious disease, oncology, asthma and COPD. The four laureates are respectively
- Prof. Peter Sinnaeve (KULeuven),
- Prof. Françoise Van Bambeke (UCLouvain),
- Prof. Jean-Christophe Marine (VIB/KULeuven), and
- Prof. Hamida Hammad (UGent).
2012
The 2012 laureates are Diether Lambrechts and Bart De Geest, both professors at KU Leuven.
Professor Lambrechts was awarded the sum of € 50,000 euros for his research into the discovery and validation of genetic biomarkers for targeted cancer therapies. While Professor De Geest received € 25.000 euros for his research into new therapeutic areas for HDL-targeted therapies.
Biennial awards for biomedical research
Since 2016, the AstraZeneca Foundation awards every two years a prize for a biomedical scientific research that has contributed, or could contribute, to improving human health. Since 2021, the Foundation has extended this biomedical prize to two established investigators (one based in Flanders, the other working in the Wallonia-Brussels Federation).
The Belgian Royal Academies of Medicine (ARMB and KAGB) are entrusted to designate a jury made of members of both Academies as well as international experts to review the applications and nominate the two laureates.
Each laureate is awarded a sum of € 50,000 euros (€ 20,000 euros as a personal award and € 30,000 euros for further research).
The Laureates
2025/2024
Every two years, The AstraZeneca Foundation awards two prizes for groundbreaking biomedical scientific research that had -or is anticipated to have- a significant impact on human health. Their pioneering work has significantly pushed the boundaries of science to advance our understanding and treatment of cancer. Together with their teams, they are leading the way towards more personalized and effective treatments.
Both laureates were chosen by an international jury that was designated by the Belgian Royal Academies of Medicine (ARMB and KAGB).
Each laureate was awarded a sum of € 50,000 euros to continue their innovative research.
The 2025 laureates of Biennial awards for biomedical research are respectively:
- Prof. Abhishek D. Garg, Laboratory of Cell Stress & Immunity- KU Leuven
- Prof. François Fuks, Laboratory of Cancer Epigenetics- ULB
To discover their research, please watch the video filmed in their offices and labs.
2024/2023
Prof. Serge Schiffmann (ULB) and Prof. Patrik Verstreken (VIB/ KU Leuven) both received an AstraZeneca Foundation Biennial Award 2023.
The Prize of the Académie royale de Médecine de Belgique (ARMB) was awarded to Professor Serge Schiffmann (ULB) for the research “Decoding basal ganglia networks to understand movement and motivational disorders”.
The Prize of the Koninklijke Academie voor Geneeskunde van België (KAGB) was awarded to Professor Patrik Verstreken (VIB/ KU Leuven) for his research “A healthy brain: targeting dementia by preserving synaptic contacts”.
Both scientists have been granted with € 50 000 euros for their research.
2022/2021
For the first time, AstraZeneca Foundation has awarded two laureates.Prof. Patrice Cani (UCLouvain) received the AstraZeneca Foundation Award 2021 for his research on the microbiota and the gut. Prof. Thomas Voets (VIB - KULeuven) received the AstraZeneca Foundation Award 2021 for his research on chronic pain.
Both scientists have been granted with € 50 000 euros for their research.
To discover their research, please watch the video filmed in their laboratories.
Prof. Patrice Cani (UCLouvain)
Group leader- Metabolism and Nutrition lab at the Louvain Drug Research Institute
2020/2019
In 2019, the AstraZeneca Foundation has awarded Prof. Cédric Blanpain (ULB) the Price for Biomedical Research 2019. The Belgian scientist has been granted with € 50 000 euros for its research on cancer and stem cells.
To discover Prof. Cédric Blanpain’s research, please watch the video filmed in his laboratory.
2018/2017
In 2017, Professor Dr. Séverine Vermeire was granted the sum of € 50,000 euros for her research on inflammatory bowel diseases.
With this award, the AstraZeneca Foundation fulfils one of its main objectives, namely supporting and stimulating scientific research with the aim of finding practical applications for the most recent discoveries in basic research.
This is not only important for researchers, but it also brings benefits to patients who can benefit from better treatment, better diagnosis and innovative technology.
Reconnecting with the Laureates
Professor Hamida Hammad
In 2013, Professor Hamida Hammad, Group Leader at the Immunoregulation and Mucosal Immunology Lab at VIB-UGent, was awarded the FWO–AstraZeneca Foundation Scientific Prize in the category “Asthma/COPD.”
At the time, her research focused on the underlying mechanisms of asthma, highlighting how the epithelium instructs dendritic cells to induce allergic responses.
Since then, her team has focused on infancy, investigating the mechanisms that drive allergies in children and exploring how environmental factors can either trigger or protect against asthma.
In our video “Reconnecting with Laureates,” filmed in her laboratory at VIB-UGent, she explains how the AstraZeneca Foundation Award gave her the confidence to secure major grants and prestigious scientific prizes.
Professor Laurent Nguyen
In 2014, Professor Laurent Nguyen, Head of the Laboratory of Molecular Regulation of Neurogenesis at GIGA-ULiège and GIGA Scientific Director, was awarded the FNRS–AstraZeneca Foundation Scientific Prize in the Neurosciences category.
In our video “Reconnecting with Laureates,” filmed in his laboratory, he reflects on the impact of the Award, which enabled him to transition from basic science to his first patient-oriented project, and ultimately to uncover gene mutations in patients with polymicrogyria, a cortical malformation.
Since then, his team has continued to investigate on the development of the cortex and neurodevelopmental disorders, including autism spectrum disorders and schizophrenia. They focus specifically on the biology of the interneurons, trying to understand how deficits in their migration and integration into neural networks may contribute to these conditions.
Professor Thomas Marichal
In 2018, Professor Thomas Marichal, Team leader at the Cellular and Molecular Immunology Lab at the GIGA Institute (University of Liège) and WELBIO investigator, received the AstraZeneca Award for his research on asthma. He was elected by an international jury designated by both the F.R.S- FNRS and the FWO
At that time, together with his team, he was focusing on key mechanisms linking environmental factors and immune responses in asthma.
Since then, his work has expanded to explore a particular cell type called macrophages and their involvement in tissue homeostasis, asthma, aging, respiratory viral infections and cancer.
In the following video, Professor Marichal explains how this award was pivotal in generating key data and helping him secure major grants he successfully applied for later on.
Professor Dr. Séverine Vermeire
In 2017, Professor Vermeire was the first scientist elected by an international jury designated by both the Belgian Academies of Medicine, to whom the Foundation had entrusted this responsibility.
She was awarded for her pioneering research in inflammatory bowel disease, with a particular focus on Crohn’s disease. “The prize from the AstraZeneca Foundation was very helpful in further building and expanding the lab, but also in expanding my own network”, she recalls.
Research Coordinator for the Biomedical Sciences group of the KU Leuven since 2020, she recently shared insights into the evolution of her research over the past 18 years.
In May 2025, Professor Vermeire was elected as the new Rector of KU Leuven.
