Utrecht University Award for Excellence in Pharmacy

2026, Prof. Stefaan de Smedt for delivery of nucleic acids (photo by Anja Elbertse))

The Utrecht University Award for Excellence in Pharmaceutical Research 2025 is awarded to prof. Stefaan de Smedt for his research in delivery of nucleic acid therapies.

Prof. de Smedt started his academic career at Ghent University with the ambition to make nucleic acids into drugs. Before that he worked and Janssen Pharmaceutica. With enormous creativity he became a world leader in exploring ways to deliver the complex and charged nucleic acids to their site of action. After a laudatio by prof. Tina Vermonden, prof. de Smedt hald a very enthousiastic lecture for the audience present in the David de Wied building. 

The mission of the department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Utrecht University, clearly identifies teaching and research as core-tasks. Public health and society, in general, are considered as important sources of inspiration. The department recognizes that it would not be able to fulfill its successful leadership role in both the pharmaceutical research and pharmacy practice, without the encouragement, dedication and excellence of pharmaceutical scientists and practitioners all over the world.

In this spirit of recognition two awards are given out: one (even years) for Excellence in Pharmacy Practice and the other (odd years) for Excellence in Pharmaceutical Research to persons who have demonstrated excellence either in pharmacy practice or pharmaceutical sciences, or in both. To strengthen the idea of reaching out to the pharmacy practice and pharmaceutical research community worldwide, the successful nominees are be selected from candidates outside the Utrecht department of Pharmaceutical Sciences.

Prof.dr. Marcel Bouvy, Head of the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Science, Utrecht University.

Winners

  • 2025, Practice Dr. Rogier Lange for professional small scale production
  • 2024, Research Prof. Marcus Maurer for his mast cell research and his inspiration
  • 2023, Practice Prof. Claire Anderson for transforming the future of Pharmacy practice
  • 2022, Research Prof. Mario van der Stelt, for his academic medicinal chemistry and chemical neurobiology
  • 2021, Practice Prof. Anne Spinewine for her efforts to optimize the appropriate use of medication by elderly patients
  • 2019, Research Prof. Hans-Georg Eichler for his contribution to Drug Regulatory Sciences
  • 2018, Practice Dr. Suzanne Hill, WHO, for her efforts in Essential Medicines.
  • 2017, Research Prof. Paul Parren, Leiden University, for his research and translation of antibodies.
  • 2016, Practice Prof. Paul Gallagher, Royal College of Surgeons, Ireland
  • 2015, Research Prof. Erik Frijlink, RU Groningen, for his achievements in Pharmaceutical Technology
  • 2014, Practice Prof. Henk Buurma, SIR Institute for Pharmacy Practice and Policy
  • 2013, Research Prof. John Cryan, University College York, Ireland, for his contribution to psychopharmacology
  • 2012, Practice Prof. Nick Barber, Health Foundation, UK
  • 2011, Research Dr. Hans Scheeren, Radboud University, for his contribution to drug targeting
2009, Research

Prof. Julia Kirchheiner, University of Ulm, Germany

2008, Practice

Drs. Ton Hoek, FIP

2007, Research

Prof. Ad IJzerman, Leiden University

2006, Practice

Prof. Chiel Hekster, Radboud University

2005, Research

Prof. Hartmund Derendorf, University of Florida, USA

2004, Practice

Prof. Dick Tromp, RU Groningen