icddr,b executive director wins Prince Mahidol Award
Executive Director of icddr,b Prof John D Clemens has won the Prince Mahidol Award for his contribution to the development of oral cholera vaccines that have revolutionised cholera control efforts globally.
The other winner of the award is Swedish immunologist Prof Jan Holmgren, who has worked with Prof Clemens for over 30 years to develop, evaluate, and introduce the world's only safe, effective, and affordable internationally licensed oral cholera vaccines (OCVs).
Prince Mahidol Award Foundation, of which Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn of Thailand is the president, made the announcement, according to a press statement of icddr,b.
Established in January 1992, Prince Mahidol Award is Thailand's tribute to personalities and institutions making significant contributions to the advancement in medicine and public health.
In January next year, Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn will hand over the Prince Mahidol Award 2018 to the two medical scientists at a ceremony in Thailand. Each Award consists of a medal, a certificate and a sum of US $100,000.
Both scientists have long been associated with icddr,b and their work in Bangladesh – beginning in the 1980s – was critical to the development, licensure, and global endorsement of oral cholera vaccines.
Reacting to the news Prof John D Clemens said, “I am honoured and humbled to have been selected for the Prince Mahidol Award. It is especially meaningful to have received the award for work done with my long-term friend and colleague, Jan Holmgren, and while I am serving as executive director of the icddr,b, where the oral cholera vaccine story began.”
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