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For Immediate Release
February 10, 2015
Contact:
Alicia Reale, University Hospitals
Alicia.Reale@UHhospitals.org
216-767-8439
John Hawley, ASCI
John.Hawley@the-jci.org
734-222-6050, ext. 402
Harrington Discovery Institute and The American Society for Clinical Investigation
honor National Cancer Institute’s researcher Douglas R. Lowy, MD
2015 Harrington Prize for Innovation in Medicine
CLEVELAND, Ohio – The second annual Harrington Prize for Innovation in Medicine
has been awarded to oncologist, researcher Douglas R. Lowy, MD, Chief, Laboratory of
Cellular Oncology, and Deputy Director of the National Cancer Institute.
The Harrington Prize for Innovation in Medicine, established in 2014 by the Harrington
Discovery Institute at University Hospitals (UH) in Cleveland, Ohio and The American
Society for Clinical Investigation (ASCI), honors a physician-scientist who has moved
science forward with achievements notable for innovation, creativity and potential for
clinical application.
Dr. Lowy is being recognized for his key discoveries that led to development of the
human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine to prevent cancer. The vaccine developed by Dr.
Lowy (in collaboration with Merck and GlaxoSmithKline), and approved by the FDA in
2006, was the first licensed vaccine to prevent cancer by guarding against the sexually
transmitted infection that causes the disease. It is estimated that the HPV vaccine can
afford close to 100% protection and thus Dr. Lowy’s research has the potential to prevent
virtually all of the many cancers caused by HPV.
It is estimated that one out of every six cancers worldwide is caused by infection, with
HPV leading to more cancers than any other virus. Infection by HPV causes virtually all
cervical cancers, the third deadliest cancer in women worldwide, as well as a high
percentage of vaginal, oropharyngeal and other cancers.
“I can’t think of anyone more deserving than Doug Lowy to receive The Harrington Prize
for Innovation in Medicine,” said Francis S. Collins, MD, PhD, Director of the National
Institutes of Health (NIH). “Through his leadership in the development of the HPV
vaccine, Doug has made profound contributions to the prevention of cervical cancer. He
continues to seek ways to reduce the burden of this disease in developing countries.”
“Dr. Lowy is an exemplary physician-scientist. His research with former trainee John
Schiller helped to identify key aspects of the biology of HPV that guided development
and ultimately FDA approval for a vaccine that has significantly improved human health
globally,” said Mukesh K. Jain, MD, Scientific Director of the Harrington Discovery
Institute and current President of the ASCI.
A committee composed of members of the ASCI Council and the Harrington Discovery
Institute Scientific Advisory Board reviewed more than 60 nominations from eight
countries before selecting Dr. Lowy as the recipient.
“We are pleased to join with the ASCI to honor Dr. Lowy and his team’s remarkable
contribution to medicine,” said Jonathan Stamler, MD, Director of the Harrington
Discovery Institute and the Robert S. and Sylvia K. Reitman Distinguished Chair in
Cardiovascular Innovation at UH Case Medical Center and Case Western Reserve
University School of Medicine. “Dr. Lowy has made a difference and thus serves as a
role model for all of us hoping to see our discoveries advanced into medicines that impact
the lives of our patients.”
In addition to receiving a $20,000 honorarium, Dr. Lowy will deliver the Harrington
Prize Lecture at the 2015 ASCI and Association of American Physicians Joint Meeting
on April 24, and publish a review in the April issue of Journal of Clinical Investigation.
Dr. Lowy received his M.D. from New York University School of Medicine. Between
1970 and 1973, he was a research associate in the Laboratory of Viral Diseases, National
Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, NIH. He trained in internal medicine at
Stanford University and dermatology at Yale University, and started his laboratory at the
NCI in 1975.
In addition to his own research, Dr. Lowy is a leader in promoting public health issues
related to HPV-associated diseases, especially cervical cancer in developing nations. He
is an effective advocate for sustainable comprehensive cervical cancer control in the
developing world.
He is an elected member to the prestigious National Academy of Sciences and is recipient
of numerous awards and honors including the National Medal of Technology and
Innovation from President Obama in 2014. Dr. Lowy has or currently serves as a member
of many scientific editorial boards, advisory boards and grant committees.
The first recipient of the Harrington Prize for Innovation in Medicine was Dr. Harry
Dietz, a pediatric cardiologist and genetics researcher from Johns Hopkins University
School of Medicine. The Prize recognized Dr. Dietz’s contributions to the understanding
of biology and treatment of aortic aneurysms and other connective tissue disorders.
The American Society for Clinical Investigation (ASCI), established in 1908, is one of
the nation's oldest and most respected medical honor societies. The ASCI is dedicated to
the advancement of research that extends the understanding and improves the treatment
of human diseases, and its members are committed to mentoring future generations of
physician-scientists.
The Harrington Discovery Institute, part of a national initiative unveiled in February
2012 called The Harrington Project for Discovery & Development, is a nonprofit medical
institute dedicated to physician-scientists, enabling them to transform breakthrough
insights into novel therapies that enhance patient care. The Harrington Project is fueled
by $250 million in donations and other funding, including $50 million from the
Harrington Family.
About University Hospitals
University Hospitals, the second largest employer in Northeast Ohio with 25,000 employees, serves the
needs of patients through an integrated network of 15 hospitals, 29 outpatient health centers and primary
care physician offices in 15 counties. At the core of our $3.5 billion health system is University Hospitals
Case Medical Center, ranked among America’s 50 best hospitals by U.S. News & World Report in all 12
methodology-ranked specialties. The primary affiliate of Case Western Reserve University School of
Medicine, UH Case Medical Center is home to some of the most prestigious clinical and research centers of
excellence in the nation, including cancer, pediatrics, women's health, orthopaedics, radiology,
neuroscience, cardiology and cardiovascular surgery, digestive health, transplantation and genetics. Its
main campus includes UH Rainbow Babies & Children's Hospital, ranked among the top children’s
hospitals in the nation; UH MacDonald Women's Hospital, Ohio's only hospital for women; and UH
Seidman Cancer Center, part of the NCI-designated Case Comprehensive Cancer Center at Case Western
Reserve University. For more information, go to www.uhhospitals.org