Centenary chairman honoured by King of Thailand

4 February 2008
The Centenary Institute has welcomed the conferring of the highly prestigious Prince Mahidol Award in Medicine to the Chairman of its Scientific Advisory Board, Professor Axel Ullrich. The award was granted by Thailand’s King Bhumibol Adulyadej for Professor Ullrich’s outstanding and exemplary contribution to the advancement of medicine throughout the world.

Professor Ullrich, Director of Molecular Biology at the Max Planck Institute for Biochemistry in Germany chairs the Centenary Institute’s Scientific Advisory Board (SAB) which is comprised of world leading scientists who offer their expertise to Centenary.

Centenary Institute’s Executive Director Professor Mathew Vadas said, "The scientific research conducted locally in the Centenary Institute’s Camperdown facility is informed by some of the world’s greatest scientific minds such as Professor Ullrich. It’s this mix of local Australian and global talent which ensures we achieve excellence in scientific research.

"Professor Ullrich’s exceptional achievements in research, particularly into the molecular biology of breast cancer are worthy of this prestigious Award and we are truly honoured to have the opportunity to work in partnership with him through our Scientific Advisory Board."

Commenting on Professor Ullrich’s research, Professor Vadas said, "Professor Ullrich played a leading role in the study of molecular mechanisms of cancer and pioneered the concept of 'targeted cancer therapy'. His research led to the development of the drug, 'Herceptin' the first target-directed, gene-discovery based breast cancer therapy."

Professor Ullrich joined and was appointed Chairman of the Centenary Institute’s Scientific Advisory Board in 2007.

The Centenary Institute is one of Australia’s leading medical research institutes with a portfolio of research projects in cancer treatment and prevention, liver and heart disease, TB and immune diseases. It is located on the grounds of Royal Prince Alfred Hospital and the University of Sydney.