Weight-loss discoveries could win Nobel Prize
It is time for the first announcement in this year's series of Nobel Prize revelations. At 11:30 AM on Monday, we will learn who is receiving the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine.
Once again, discoveries behind weight-loss drugs feature in the speculation.
Among the names appearing in pre-announcement predictions are researchers who contributed to the development of blockbuster diabetes and weight-loss medications. Beyond revolutionizing obesity treatment, these drugs have shown several other positive effects, including potential applications in treating addiction.
Fundamentally, the drugs are based on a hormone, GLP-1, which regulates appetite and blood glucose levels.
Images of tissues
There are several potential contenders, but Daniel Drucker, Jens Juul Holst, and Svetlana Mojsov are cited among the top candidates. Also tipped as a favorite is Jeffrey Friedman, who identified the hormone leptin and demonstrated the molecular mechanisms by which the body regulates weight and metabolism.
Of course, there are also potential laureates in entirely different fields. The analytics firm Clarivate suggests James Fujimoto, David Huang, and Eric Swanson, who developed OCT technology. This is an
advanced imaging technique that uses light waves to create detailed, cross-sectional images of tissues.
Cancer and the immune system
Alternatively, the prize might go to the researchers behind CAR-T cell therapy, a breakthrough treatment for several types of cancer. Another possibility is that the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine could be awarded to Timothy A. Springer for discoveries regarding how immune system cells attach to targets within the body.
This year, the prize amount is 12 million kronor per prize. If the prize is shared among multiple laureates, the prize money is divided between them.
In 2025, what is commonly known as the medicine prize went to Mary E. Brunkow, Fred Ramsdell, and Shimon Sakaguchi, who were honored for discoveries concerning peripheral immune tolerance—how our immune system refrains from attacking our own bodies.
Facts
Alfred Nobel and the Nobel Prize
Alfred Nobel (born 1833 in Stockholm, died 1896 in San Remo, Italy) is Sweden’s most famous inventor and industrialist. His most important invention was dynamite, for which he obtained a patent in 1867.
Alfred Nobel left behind a vast fortune; his will stipulated that the bulk of this wealth should form a fund, with the returns used to award prizes to those who, "during the preceding year, shall have conferred the greatest benefit on mankind."
Nobel wanted prizes to be awarded in five categories: Physics, Chemistry, Physiology or Medicine, Literature, and Peace.
The first award ceremony took place in 1901.
Much later, the economics prize—officially the "Prize in Economic Sciences in Memory of Alfred Nobel"—was established. The prize was established by Sveriges Riksbank and awarded for the first time in 1969.
A maximum of three people may share each prize.
The award ceremony takes place on the anniversary of Alfred Nobel’s death, December 10. The Nobel Prize is awarded in Stockholm and Oslo (the Peace Prize).
Sources: NE and nobelprize.org
