Sweden, Nobel prize

Two scientists who have played a crucial role in the fight against coronavirus were awarded the Nobel Prize in Medicine or Physiology Monday. Hungarian Katalin Karikó, born in 1955, and American Drew Weissman, born in 1959, have been hailed here for their work on mRNA vaccines. Their discoveries paved the way for the covid vaccines from pharmaceutical companies such as Pfizer and Moderna and were important tools in the fight against the covid pandemic.
     “The Nobel recipients’ discoveries were crucial in developing effective mRNA vaccines against COVID-19 during the pandemic that began in early 2020,” the statement on the Nobel Prize website said. “Through their groundbreaking discoveries, which have fundamentally changed our understanding of how mRNA affects the immune system, recipients have contributed to the unprecedented production of vaccines during one of the greatest threats to human health in modern times.” Karikó and Weissman have also previously been awarded a number of prizes for their research and contribution to the development of the corona vaccines.
     Katalin Karikó is the 13th woman in history to receive a Nobel Prize in the category of medicine or physiology. A total of 227 people have received the award. The two winners will be presented with the award on 10 December at a ceremony in the Swedish capital, Stockholm. /ritzau/nobelprize.org/