Three scientists, Mary Brunkow, Fred Ramsdell, and Shimon Sakaguchi, have been awarded the 2025 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for their groundbreaking work on peripheral immune tolerance, as announced by the award-giving body. The prize-winning research focuses on regulating the immune system to combat various pathogens while preventing autoimmune diseases, explained Marie Wahren-Herlenius, a rheumatology professor at the Karolinska Institute.
Mary Brunkow, based at the Institute for Systems Biology in Seattle, Fred Ramsdell, affiliated with Sonoma Biotherapeutics in San Francisco, and Shimon Sakaguchi, a professor at the Immunology Frontier Research Center at Osaka University in Japan, were recognized for their foundational discoveries that have advanced research and led to the development of novel treatments for conditions like cancer and autoimmune disorders.
The laureates’ work identified regulatory T cells, described as the immune system’s guardians that regulate immune responses and prevent attacks on the body. Mary Brunkow shared her surprise at winning the prize after being awakened by her dog barking at a news photographer outside her home. She highlighted the significance of the FOXP3 gene they isolated, which serves as a marker for these crucial cells.
Shimon Sakaguchi expressed astonishment during a media conference in Osaka, Japan, mentioning that he had not anticipated such recognition until further advancements were made in their research. Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba congratulated Sakaguchi via phone call during the event. The Nobel Institute mentioned ongoing human trials involving regulatory T cells, with potential therapies still awaiting market approval.
Various biotech companies, including Sonoma Biotherapeutics, Quell Therapeutics, and Bayer’s BlueRock, are actively exploring treatments based on regulatory T cell research. The Nobel Prizes, established by Alfred Nobel, encompass categories such as physics, chemistry, literature, and peace, with a monetary award of 11 million Swedish crowns ($1.6 million Cdn). The upcoming Nobel Prize categories include chemistry and physics, literature, and the peace prize, with the economics prize announcement scheduled for later in October. The prestigious awards are presented annually on December 10th, commemorating Alfred Nobel’s legacy.
