The Galien Foundation Presents the 2026 Roy Vagelos Pro Bono Humanum Award for Global Health Equity to U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry

In recognition of his pioneering and unwavering dedication to Parkinson’s disease research, patient advocacy, and his tireless efforts to improve the lives of those affected by this condition worldwide. Through his Foundation, he has championed numerous initiatives aimed at accelerating better treatments and finding a cure for Parkinson’s disease. His commitment to fostering collaboration between scientists, policymakers, and patients has led to significant advancements in understanding and treating this challenging neurological disorder.

His visionary leadership and relentless pursuit of a world without Parkinson’s disease embody the spirit of the Prix Galien Roy Vagelos Pro Bono Humanum Award. His efforts have not only inspired global action but have also set a benchmark for patient advocacy and medical research funding. The Galien Foundation proudly recognizes him for his extraordinary contributions to humanity and his enduring commitment to making the world a better place for all those affected by Parkinson’s disease.

2024
His Serene Highness Prince Albert II of Monaco 

2023
Mae. C. Jemison

In recognition of your exceptional scientific achievements, medical advocacy, and humanitarian efforts, our committee of distinguished scientists and Nobel laureates acknowledges your outstanding contributions. As a physician, engineer, and former NASA astronaut, you've excelled in medicine and space science, conducting groundbreaking research aboard the Space Shuttle Endeavour in 1992 that advanced our understanding of human physiology in space.

Your tireless efforts in promoting diversity in STEM fields, inspiring underrepresented communities, and mentoring young students have been truly commendable. Your dedication to science education and healthcare access has empowered future generations in science and medicine.

Furthermore, your humanitarian work, including serving as a Peace Corps medical officer in West Africa and improving healthcare infrastructure in underserved areas, demonstrates your commitment to addressing global health issues through science and medicine.

Your contributions to science, medicine, and humanitarian efforts have left an indelible mark on society, inspiring us all.

2022
Stanley T. Crooke

In recognition of his nearly 50 years of dedication to a novel, clinically endorsed concept of using synthetic oligonucleotides to control the expression of genes and proteins that impact disease. His singular dedication to this RNA-driven antisense platform provided a new, highly personalized pathway to resolving some of the most difficult biomedical challenges, with the ultimate potential of treating multiple infections, inflammatory conditions and cancers targeted to individual patient profiles and with minimal side-effects. Due to Dr. Crooke’s years of effort as a researcher, corporate R&D executive, biotech innovator and philanthropist, nearly a dozen antisense oligonucleotides (ASO) have been approved for clinical use since 1998; additional clinical trials focused in high unmet medical need areas like neuroscience are underway. Dr. Crooke is also recognized for his leadership in being among the first in industry to make a commitment to open science a key element of the modern R&D enterprise and to embrace the principle that even patients with the rarest of afflictions deserve the best talent and expertise our R&D industry can offer. Untold thousands of patients formerly with no hope of a cure stand to benefit from his belief in the promise of this entirely new class of medicines.

2021
(l-r) Stephane Bancel; Albert Bourla; Alex Gorsky; David Ricks; Pascal Soriot; George D. Yancopoulos

In recognition of the monumental feat of having developed, in less than a year, vaccines against COVID-19, as well as having developed several novel antiviral drugs that treat COVID-19 symptoms based on innovative monoclonal antibody platforms. The six companies together responded to the pandemic in record time, with safe, effective treatments that hold the promise of reducing mortality and restoring normal life for untold millions of vulnerable patients.

2020
Dr. William H. Foege

In recognition of this role in building the global strategy that resulted in the eradication of this smallpox virus in 1980, a success that helped foster higher rates of immunization against many other infectious and communicable diseases throughout the developing world.

2019
Jim and Marilyn Simons

The Simons Foundation In recognition of their proactive support of basic scientific research undertaken in the pursuit of understanding the phenomena of our world, often including research by scientists in the early stages of their careers, a new collaborative funding model to facilitate cross-disciplinary breakthroughs, and efforts to inspire emerging and current philanthropists to dedicate a portion of their philanthropy to basic science.

2018
Bill and Melinda Gates

Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

In recognition of their extraordinary work championing scientific and technological innovation to improve life for the world’s poorest people. As co-chairs of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, they have catalyzed unprecedented progress in global health, poverty reduction, and public education in the U.S.

2017
Jimmy Carter

Former U.S. President &
Co-Founder, The Carter Center

For playing a leadership role in the elimination of river blindness in four of the six Latin American countries where it was endemic and halting the disease’s transmission in several locations in Africa where more than 99 percent of the global cases exist.

2016
Paula S. Apsell

Executive Producer, PBS NOVA series & Director, Science Unit, WGBH

For turning great science into a human story, showing that scientific literacy is society’s first line of defense against the destructive forces of fear and ignorance that challenge further progress in human health.

2015
Pr. Mary-Claire King

Professor, Genome Sciences and Medical Genetics, University of Washington

In recognition of her work in transforming the application of human genetics to medicine through identification of the first gene, BRCA1, responsible for inherited susceptibility to breast cancer. And for pioneering the application of genetic sequencing in forensics to identify victims of human rights abuse.

2014
Dr. Bernard Kouchner

Co-Founder, Doctors Without Border & Former French Minister of Foreign and European Affairs

In recognition of his role in the creation, from amongst French doctors, this group of “Doctors Without Borders” who have lent the modern field of humanitarian medicine both legitimacy and worldwide acclaim and for his fieldwork that has nurtured and developed, not only among public opinion but also within various governments, the notion of the universality of humanitarian action and the concept of the Non-Governmental Organization.

2013
Dr. Anthony Fauci

Director, U.S. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases

For his paramount contributions to basic and clinical research on the pathogenesis and treatment of immune mediated and infectious diseases.

2012
Dr. Francis S. Collins

Director, U.S. National Institutes of Health

Dr. Collins, Director of the National Institutes of Health (N.I.H). In recognition of his contribution to the ethical implications of scientific research.

2011
Pr. Paul Farmer

Chief Strategist and Co-Founder, Partners In Health

For his humanitarian work in Haiti and throughout the world, including advancing the fight against infectious diseases, including AIDS and tuberculosis.

2010
Bill Clinton and Philippe Douste-Blazy

Founder, Clinton Foundation and Former U.S. President; Chairman, UNITAID In recognition of their achievements in providing treatment and increasing access to medicines for underserved populations through the UNITAID and Clinton Foundation HIV/AIDS Initiative (CHAI) partnership.

2009
Barry Bloom and Jeffrey Sachs

Professor of Public Health, Harvard University; Director, Earth Institute, Columbia University Harvard Professor Barry Bloom for bringing the fruits of basic biological science to those who are most needy. Columbia University Earth Institute Director Jeffrey Sachs for bringing the fruits of scholarly economics to bear our problems that have plagued the world for millennia.

2008
Sheldon Segal and the Population Council

Former Chairman, Population Council

For their global efforts in support of reproductive health and family planning.

2007
P. Roy Vagelos

Retired Chairman and CEO, Merck & Co., Inc.; Chairman of the Board Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

For the River Blindness Program and his historic decision to donate the drug Mectizan to more than 530 million people in 34 countries to treat and prevent river blindness “as much as necessary for as long as necessary.”