mRNA vaccine researchers get $3 mln VinFuture grand prize

The annual VinFuture Prize, instituted by the VinFuture Foundation, was launched by Vingroup chairman Pham Nhat Vuong and his wife Pham Thu Huong.

The award aims to recognize ground breaking scientific and technological discoveries around the world.

On Thursday, four prizes were awarded: a VinFuture Grand Prize valued at $3 million and three special prizes of $500,000 each for female innovators, innovators from developing countries, and innovators with outstanding achievements in emerging fields.

Three scientists: Hungarian biochemist Katalin Kariko, U.S. physician-scientist Drew Weissman and Canadian physicist and biochemist Pieter Rutter Cullis were awarded the VinFuture Grand Prize valued at $3 million for their contributions to the development of the mRNA vaccine technology.

South African scientists Salim Abdool Karim and Quarraisha Abdool Karim were awarded a VinFuture Prize valued at $500,000 for developing country innovators for the invention of a gel with tenofovir, a product for women to prevent HIV infections.

U.S. scientist Zhenan Bao was awarded with a VinFuture Prize for her research on “electronic skins” capable of stretching, healing like normal skins and are biodegradable.

U.S. scientist Omar M.Yaghi was awarded a VinFuture Prize for his research into water and material science.