Multi-million dollar Breakthrough Award bestowed upon creators of medication similar to Ozempic
A gang of visionary scientists, responsible for creating Ozempic-style drugs, have scooped up a hefty $3 million prize - dubbed the "Sci-Tech Oscars." A decisive nod to the world's brainiest minds in fundamental sciences, this award aims to celebrate the outstanding efforts in the fields of physics, mathematics, and life sciences.
For 2025, the prestigious Breakthrough Prizes have bestowed awards upon five deserving recipients in the life sciences category: Dr. Jens Holst, Dr. Daniel Drucker, Dr. Joel Habener, Lotte Knudsen, and Svetiana Mojsov. The trio has been recognized for their work on the discovery and development of GLP-1 and its physiology, with a particular focus on its potential in treating diabetes and obesity.
GLP-1, a hormone secreted by the gut after indulging in a meal, is responsible for stimulating the release of insulin, a key player in regulating blood sugar levels, and slowing down digestion to leave you feeling full. These characteristics make it the cornerstone in regulating appetite and managing obesity.
Ozempic and Wegovy, popular GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) used to tackle type 2 diabetes and obesity, mimic the hormone's actions within the body. Their popularity has soared over the last decade, leading to investigations into their potential uses for treating various health conditions, from substance-use disorders to Alzheimer's disease. In 2024, Wegovy even garnered approval in the United States to aid in heart disease treatment, despite ongoing questions about its effectiveness.
Despite their success, GLP-1 RAs have faced scrutiny due to reported side effects like persistent vomiting, stomach paralysis, and an increased risk of developing certain conditions, such as abdominal pain, low blood pressure, and arthritis. A substantial study published in 2025 revealed that while the drugs could potentially lower the risk of developing 42 health conditions, they might increase the likelihood of experiencing 19 others.
Amid growing interest in these groundbreaking drugs, experts believe they've significantly revolutionized the treatment of cardiometabolic disorders, with nearly 1 in 8 adults in the U.S. reportedly having used a GLP-1 drug at some point in their lives.
Holst and his colleagues were actually the ones who unearthed the GLP-1 hormone way back in the 1980s. Since then, they've been piecing together the puzzle, demonstrating the hormone's role in stimulating insulin secretion and inhibiting food intake after a meal. These insights laid the groundwork for the development of the widely used drugs we see today.
The scientists are now directing their focus towards exploring the body's regulation of its own GLP-1 hormone levels and whether this process can be manipulated. They aim to find a solution where patients with obesity or diabetes could be given a drug that increases their own GLP-1 hormone secretion rather than relying on a drug that merely mimics its action.
The other two life sciences awards for this year were given to Dr. Stephen Hauser and Dr. Alberto Ascherio for their work on multiple sclerosis and David Liu for developing the common gene editing technologies known as "base editing" and "prime editing."
These brilliant scientists will receive their awards at a star-studded ceremony in Los Angeles on April 5, 2025.
- The "Sci-Tech Oscars" rewarded five recipients in the life sciences category for their work on GLP-1, focusing on diabetes and obesity treatment.
- Dr. Jens Holst, Dr. Daniel Drucker, Dr. Joel Habener, Lotte Knudsen, and Svetiana Mojsov were among the recipients of the Breakthrough Prizes in 2025.
- GLP-1, a hormone stimulating insulin release and slowing digestion, is a crucial element in appetite regulation and obesity management.
- Ozempic and Wegovy, popular GLP-1 receptor agonists, mimic the hormone's actions within the body to tackle type 2 diabetes and obesity.
- GLP-1 RAs have been investigated for a variety of health conditions, ranging from substance-use disorders to Alzheimer's disease.
- Despite some reported side effects and possible increased risks of certain medical conditions, GLP-1 RAs have significantly improved the treatment of cardiometabolic disorders.
- In 2024, Wegovy received approval in the United States to aid in heart disease treatment, despite questions about its effectiveness.
- Among the reported side effects of GLP-1 RAs are persistent vomiting, stomach paralysis, and an increased risk of developing conditions like abdominal pain, low blood pressure, and arthritis.
- A substantial study published in 2025 hinted that while GLP-1 RAs might lower the risk of developing 42 health conditions, they could potentially increase the likelihood of experiencing 19 others.
- The scientists, who discovered the GLP-1 hormone in the 1980s, are currently exploring the body's regulation of its own GLP-1 hormone levels.
- They aim to find a drug that increases patients' own GLP-1 hormone secretion instead of relying on a drug that mimics its action.
- Two other life sciences awards in 2025 went to Dr. Stephen Hauser and Dr. Alberto Ascherio for their work on multiple sclerosis, and to David Liu for developing gene editing technologies.
- These scientists will receive their awards at a glamorous ceremony in Los Angeles on April 5, 2025. This event will also focus on topics like personal finance, finance, neurological disorders, skin conditions, fitness and exercise, health and wellness, women's health, men's health, weight management, parenting, skin care, therapies and treatments, nutrition, medicine, and cancer.
