LOS ANGELES— The Breakthrough Prize Foundation has unveiled the winners of the 2025 Breakthrough Prizes, celebrating extraordinary scientific advancements across Life Sciences, Fundamental Physics, and Mathematics. This year, six prestigious awards were presented to exceptional individuals whose research is revolutionizing medicine and biotechnology, from breakthroughs in gene editing to transformative therapies for diabetes and multiple sclerosis.
Known as the “Oscars® of Science,” the Breakthrough Prizes were established by some of the biggest names in technology and philanthropy: Sergey Brin, Priscilla Chan, Mark Zuckerberg, Julia and Yuri Milner, and Anne Wojcicki. With a total prize pool of $18.75 million in 2025, the foundation has now awarded over $326 million to the world’s most innovative scientists since its inception. These prizes shine a spotlight on scientists who have made groundbreaking contributions that promise to impact humanity’s health and understanding of the universe.
Life Sciences Honorees: Pioneering Breakthroughs in Medicine
This year, the Life Sciences category recognized a diverse group of scientists whose work has led to transformative advancements in the treatment of major health challenges such as diabetes, obesity, and multiple sclerosis. These discoveries not only open the door to new therapeutic strategies but also offer hope to millions of patients worldwide.
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Daniel J. Drucker, Joel Habener, Jens Juul Holst, Lotte Bjerre Knudsen, and Svetlana Mojsov were collectively honored for their groundbreaking research on GLP-1 hormones, which has led to the development of life-changing drugs for diabetes and obesity. This team of scientists has contributed to understanding how these hormones regulate blood sugar levels and appetite, paving the way for medications like GLP-1 agonists, which are transforming the management of these diseases.
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Stephen L. Hauser and Alberto Ascherio received recognition for their pioneering work in multiple sclerosis (MS). Their research on the role of the Epstein-Barr virus as a critical risk factor in MS, as well as their development of B cell-based therapies, marks a pivotal step forward in treating this debilitating condition. Their findings could lead to more effective and targeted MS therapies in the near future.
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David R. Liu, a scientist at the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, was honored for his groundbreaking contributions to gene editing. His development of base editing and prime editing technologies offers the possibility of making highly precise genetic modifications, enabling the correction of genetic mutations without the need for cutting the DNA double helix. These advancements have the potential to revolutionize the treatment of genetic disorders and represent the future of personalized medicine.
The 2025 Breakthrough Prizes in Life Sciences highlight how scientific innovation continues to improve our understanding of complex diseases and offers hope for patients around the world. With the continued support of these extraordinary minds, the future of medicine looks increasingly promising.
As the foundation celebrates the achievements of these pioneering scientists, it underscores the profound impact that groundbreaking research in life sciences has on global health. Each of these awards is a reminder of the power of science to solve some of the world’s most pressing challenges and improve lives across the globe.
