Professor Robert Langer received the 2008 Millennium Technology Prize at a ceremony in Helsinki, Finland, yesterday.
Sometimes seen as the unofficial Nobel Prize for technology, the award recognised the professor’s research in intelligent drug delivery, which has allowed for more controlled release of drugs into patients’ bodies.
His work has had significant impact on fighting cancer, heart disease and numerous other diseases. Over 100 million people a year are already using his advanced drug delivery systems.
Professor Langer’s work has also brought about significant advances in tissue engineering, including synthetic replacement for biological tissues such as artificial skin. "Tissue engineering holds the promise of creating virtually any new tissue or organ," he said.
Improving quality of life
The world’s largest technology prize is awarded by Technology Academy Finland to a technological innovation that significantly improves quality of human life and promotes sustainable development.
Other shortlisted laureates were each awarded €115,000 at the award ceremony. These 2008 laureates included Sir Alec Jeffreys, creator of DNA fingerprinting; Professor David Payne, co-inventor of an optical amplifier which transformed telecommunications; his co-inventors, Prof Emmanual Desurvire and Dr Randy Giles; and Dr Andrew Viterbi, whose eponymous algorithm aids modern communications.
"It is sufficient to say that each and every one of today’s Laureates has excelled in fulfilling the most important of our requirements: benefit to mankind," said Stig Gustavson, Chairman of Technology Academy Finland.
Previous recipients of the world’s largest technology prize include Sir Tim Berners-Lee, inventor of the world wide web, and Shuji Nakamura, creator of energy efficient LEDs.
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Date Published: June 12, 2008
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