Five scientists were awarded a $3 million Breakthrough Prize for their contributions to the development of GLP-1 based drugs Ozempic and Wegovy. Initially designed for diabetes, these medications effectively curb appetite, leading to significant weight loss and improved health for users. Among the awardees are Daniel Drucker and his team, whose research in the 1990s demonstrated the weight-loss potential of GLP-1. The recognition highlights the profound impact of these drugs on patients' lives, as noted by physician-scientist Ziyad Al-Aly and celebrated by Drucker, who values patient transformation stories.
"This class of drugs truly saves lives, changes lives and brings joy back to people's lives," says Ziyad Al-Aly, a physician-scientist at the Veterans Affairs St. Louis Health Care System in Missouri, who recently led a massive study analysing data from almost two million people to evaluate the effects of such medication.
It's a tremendous honour to receive this prestigious award," says Drucker. "But the most amazing gratification is when someone comes to my office and says, 'I lost 40 pounds [18 kg] and I feel healthy'.
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